Hi there dog lovers!  We are so grateful to Laura Gillice for sharing some very important safety information today.  Laura became addicted to agility with her Golden Retriever and three Australian Shepherds.  They traveled all over the country to compete and soon realized how important it was to secure the dogs in crates for their safety and hers.   Five years ago, they were vacationing in Yellowstone National Park and a young man fell asleep at the wheel and hit them head on at 45MPH.  They were ambulanced and air lifted out, but when the Rangers went to get Jade out of her plastic crate, it shattered and she bolted into the wilderness.  She was lost for 44 days.   

Laura, thanks for being on the Wag Out Loud pawdcast.  Why don’t we start with your traumatic story?

Yellowstone is a park that is over 2 million acres and home to several predators.  Did you ever give up hope of finding Jade?

Was she hurt at all?

What is the biggest lesson that you learned from this tragic ordeal?

 The dogs were restrained in cages.  Looking back, what would you have done different?

How were the dogs after the accident?  Reluctant to get back in a car?

Why is an unrestrained dog in a car dangerous?

Car safety is more than just strapping in our dogs.  What else should we consider?

 Wire cages vs plastic.   There really aren’t any federal testing or performance standards set for dog crates, right?  So, they really aren’t crash tested?

Which ones do you recommend?

And a crate needs to be secured in place as well?

What are your thoughts on harnesses secured by a seat belt?

Or car or booster seats?

What is the best way for us to know how to best retrain our dogs in the car?

Laura mentioned: Consumers should verify certification by a third party like the Center for Pet Safety.

Laura, where can everyone find out more information about you and your book, Bring Jade Home  or  Jade Lost in Yellowstone (children’s book) ?

FB: @yellowstonedogjade

We appreciate our sponsor: DoggyStat

Just go to DoggyStat.com and be sure to use the code WOL to receive 10% off of your order

Thanks for Listening!

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Special thanks to Laura for being on the show. Catch you next time!

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The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is no substitute for professional care by a veterinarian, licensed nutritionist or other qualified professional. The host as well as guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experience and conclusions, and Wag Out Loud LLC neither endorses or opposes any particular views discussed here.