Date:         Fri, 1 Feb 2002 12:28:48 -0800
Reply-To:     Peter Johnson <johnson@SAW.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Peter Johnson <johnson@SAW.NET>
Subject:      Dog stories
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> Now if I could only figure out a way to restrain my two labs in the event
of
> an accident--tried the doggie seatbelt harnesses once--yeah, right!  Took
me
> an hour to get them untangled from each other and out of the van again...

While exploring the Mt. Hood National Forest last year in my Westy, I came
around a turn going about 30 mph and had to hit my brakes fairly hard to
avoid a road hazard.  I slowed to about 10 to maneuver around the gaping
pothole but the sudden braking caused my lab mix (Buzzard) to lurch forward
from his normal hangout next to fridge.  His momentum carried him past the
captain's chairs and he banged his head into the gear selector, which threw
the Westy into neutral (and thankfully not into reverse or park).  Buzz
survived the ordeal without even a bump on his head, but I had to pull over
and take a few deep breaths after narrowly avoiding a likely (I think)
ruined transmission.  From that point on, I prevented Buzzard from entering
the gear selector area by stacking up some camp gear between the front
chairs.  It worked, but it was very inconvenient, and I am wondering if any
listees have thought of good ideas for comfortably restraining their dogs
while enroute in their Vans.

Also, since it's Friday, does anyone have any Vanagon-related pup tales to
share?

Peter J
85 Westy GL "Nesta"
Willard, WA