Cars, dogs and laugh therapy

Anyone who involved in dogs suddenly finds that their choice in vehicle is dictated by their passion for dogs. When I got my first whippet Darby, I had a JUST purchased a two door Honda Civic (replacing my 10 year old Toyota Corolla ). I loved the Civic, too, but rapidly found that it was NOT a dog friendly car. The car looked something like this, except it was white. I could assemble a crate in the back seat, but that meant putting the crate in the back and then assembling it. That was fine when it was only Darby, but a year later, Charlie came, and two years after that Reilly.

I was at a place in my life when I couldn't afford to get a new car, just because I had 3 dogs. It may not look like it, but FOUR unassembled crates can fit into the trunk of a two door Honda Civic. Bag containing racing gear could be stuffed beside the crates. I looked something like a circus act with what seemed to be an impossible number of dogs spilling out of the car when we arrived at race meets, but it worked for us. Sort of. I became a 5 dog family while owning the Civic, but dog number 5 (Hudi) tipped us over the edge. Despite the fact that I always considered mini-vans the vehicle for soccer moms (no offense, I hope), I traded in the Honda Civic (only 5 years old) and purchased a Toyota Sienna. It seemed like the right thing to do.

I have always been "one with my car" (it's a state of mind thing). I loved my Toyota Corolla. It as a hatchback with a sun roof. It took me to beaches and up and down the California coast. When I couldn't sleep because my crazy neighbor was drunk and screaming through the walls, I would drive 101 with the sun roof down as an escape. I owned that car for 10 years -- I drove across the US (actually moved from Texas to CA and back again. I had 183,000 miles (with limited service; I was a broke student all those years!). I didn't even realize that it was driving badly until I purchased the Civic. The Honda Civic: t was new, sleek and white. I loved it, too; I never loved it as much as my Toyota Corolla, though (the first always has a special place). Packing for race meets made the Civic a pain. Although I could get 4 crates into the trunk, they were heavy and that process frequently left me with muscle strain and skinned knuckles.

The Sienna and has served us well. We have gone on multiple trips, and in 3.5 years have logged 75,000 miles. The van and I have NEVER bonded, though. Perhaps, it is that soccer mom image that I can't get out of my head. Perhaps, it is the fact that although I have owned this STUPID vehicle for 3 years, I still can't seem to get a grip on the turning radius. Something about sitting over the wheels -- I have turned that van into the side of concrete pillars several times in the below building parking area at the hospital. I hate those scratches. Also, although it is a van, it has proven to be a little bit cramped. I thought there would be so much more room, but there really isn't; especially since I have decided that the dogs deserve 400 rather than 300 sized crates....yup, a mini-van is MINI.

I have been reluctant to get a second vehicle. It seems a waste : having one business vehicle and one "Dog" vehicle. However, as my disenchantment with the van grows, I have finally realized that I should get a "work" car and leave the van as a dog car. I won't have to spend so much time in it. I am also hoping to have a "greener" vehicle (hybrid?). This morning, I started looking at the Toyota Prius. Looking online, not in person. I HATE car shopping with a passion. The question: could I get a crate or two in the hatchback. I would like for my work vehicle to be dog able....perhaps not for the whole groups but for a few dogs....see, having dogs means totally changing ones outlook on everything.

While doing my research, I found the following video. It is a 10 minute video, but certainly worth it if you have the time. Sorry, this may be offensive to owners of chihauhas. If I get a Prius, it won't be a blue one!


Having found this, my car research turned into a session of laugh therapy. I had never heard of Jeff Dunham, but he is a funny guy. All this while looking for information on a Toyota Prius. Isn't the internet age, great?