by Diane Stevenett, Author

Many of you may be traveling soon with your pet so let me help you to be more aware of a very potential danger by sharing with you my anguishing experience with Jake, my New Zealand Huntaway. Since this experience, I’ve become much more informed about this part of caring for my pet.

So much so that I became a co-author of a book and on Sept. 19^th, 2020, I received an international book award with my co-author Scott Haskins, for our book “How To Save Your Pet From a Disaster.” Please accept my heartfelt desire to share with you now that I’ve become an expert in this area. You may not have thought of some of these tips when travelling with your pet(s).

My Experience With Jake The Great

Jake was a magnificent dog with velvety hazel-colored eyes, thick shiny sleek black fur with Shepherd markings, tall to my hips and about 96 lbs. Lean and tall. Huntaway’s are a cross between a German Shepherd, Black Lab and Hound Dog. They are majestic and brilliant.

I had a Jeep Commander and when we travelled, I would bring the back seats forward and flat, which gave him the entire back of the car, complete with the best of comfort. It would seem like life was perfect. And it was…until it wasn’t. I had never thought about securing Jake in the case of an accident. I am embarrassed to say, it just never occurred to me. He always seemed to brace himself, lean into a curve, used one leg to steady and maneuver himself as I drove. Had I have researched and written this book back then, I would have known that there are seat belt straps and travel harnesses for dogs.

The Accident on the Pass between Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez, CA

It all happened so fast. I was driving north on Hwy 154, the Pass between Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez, CA. and came over a small hill where I saw a long line of cars had stopped. I was the very last car in that long line, and suddenly a large, black pick-up truck with a lift kit, and with two young boys in it had appeared. There was a squealing of tires as they tried to stop. It happened like in slow motion. The cars in front of me suddenly were pulling away, but one car was still directly in front of me, so I braced for impact. When the truck hit us, I had my foot hard on the brakes as we were slammed from behind. Jake was thrown forward from the back of the car, and onto the dashboard, together with that big roll of butcher paper, which grazed his stomach. The windshield cracked under his weight. Glass was in my face and hair and in Jake’s fur. Jake was heaving. We were both wandering around in the middle of the road.

Could I have Protected Him Better? He Was More Than A Pet.

Looking back, I could not have avoided the accident, but I could have been more prepared with a pet in the car, to save him from the trauma that I believe impacted his mortality from that day forward. Had I known what I know today, I would have been more prepared and could have possibly lessened Jake’s chance of being injured. The question is… What IS animal safety? We never know when an accident might happen, but we need to be prepared for that situation.

Our pets provide us with companionship, they reduce our stress level and give us emotional support, they guard and protect us, help us in social activities, help us interact with others, bring positive emotional and social values, and also self-esteem. Many people count on pets for therapy and are even taken to nursing homes, hospitals, care centers to encourage interaction, brighten spirits and bring affection.

The Damage To Jake Was Long Term

Jake lived that day, but he was injured, and it caused him health issues and probably contributed to his early death later on. There are numerous safety harnesses, travel beds, and containment carriers available through reputable manufacturers that create a safe environment while travelling. We love our pets and one of our primary responsibilities towards our pets is ensuring their health, peace and welfare. As responsible “parents” and pet owners, we need to ensure that our animals are protected. Providing an animal with a “safe and suitable place” is the number one rule in owning a pet, whether it’s in your house, a yard, a pet park, or in a car.

You may have ideas, plans or supplies ready for your family to deal with an emergency, but your furry friends have different needs, specialized needs. In this new reference book, “How To Save Your Pet From A Disaster” is THE essential emergency preparedness guide for your furry and feathered friends. It recently won an international book award as the “Best Pet Care Guidebook.” 

A Recommendation and Testimonial

Raymond Aaron, 2 x NY Times Best Selling Author and author of TWO “Chicken Soup For The Soul” books says, “It’s a must read! Gift one today!  You will cherish the help in this book if you love your pets and want to protect, save and help them. Even if you do one thing in this book, you will be better prepared…” like how to prepare a first aid kit for your pet, or what possible actions you can take before a disaster happens or in critical times like a car accident, damaging loud noises, or any other violent emergencies at home, or natural disasters in your area.

Protecting your pet is not only about the care of your pet, but the pet can be a distraction causing a more serious situation than it would be otherwise, which often involves children. Also, besides experiencing whiplash, the driver would be hit with the pet which has become a projectile.

According to the National Safety Council, If a car crashes at a speed of 25mph, an airborne dog can develop projectile forces equaling 40 times its weight. For example, a German Shepherd weighing 75 lbs can impact with a force of 3000 lbs. This is enough force to be lethal for a driver or passenger and in the least, cause great damage as the pet is thrown through the cabin and, sometimes, out the front windshield.

According to the American Automobile Association, over 80% of dog owners drive with their pets in the car. Over 84% who drive with their pet, do not restrain them in the car. In 2013, 172,000 children were in car crashes with injuries and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that of those crashes with children who were injured, over 80% had pets on board. Its not just about the pet…

Diane Stevenett, co-author of the new international award winning book, How To Save Your Pet From A Disaster was Jake’ the Great’s mother years ago and thinks back, “Had I known what I know today, I would have been more prepared and could have possibly lessened Jake’s chance of being injured. My research to be better educated and prepared lead me to write this guidebook.”

Given the increased interest in pets over the last two decades (TheAmerican Pet Products Association estimates that pet product sales have doubled in last 20 years) this guidebook seems long overdue. A quick search on the internet turns up a few 1-page flyers on emergency-pet-care-appropriate-websites, which are not all that easy to find.

You love your pet and there are things you can do easily and have peace of mind knowing your treasured pet is more safe and ready for your next trip. Be “pet prepared. Remember, your pet may turn into your “therapy animal” in an emergency so think ahead and protect them like you would your child.

3 Tips For Travelling With Your Pet From How To Save Your Pet From A Disaster

1. Consider microchipping (Page 16): unrestrained pets may bolt from cars, making a bad situation much worse.
2. A harness around the chest of your pet for securing it to the seating will more evenly distribute the tension or stress on the body during an accident thereby reducing the potential for injury. If you only have the animal tied to its collar around the neck, the animal may be strangled or have its neck broken. (Page 20,30)
3. Secure the pet to the seat’s restraints. They are made to stay connected and fastened in an accident. (Page 33)

There are literally hundreds of other tips and suggestions you have not thought of for a wide variety of situations besides car accidents. Being prepared suggests that you brainstorm as many as you can and begin implementing the tips that seem most important to you.

3 ways to order and receive free authoritative bonuses from experts

Get a copy of “How To Save Your Pet From A Disaster” as a great gift for friends, family and a pet lover;

1. Order from Amazon through the book’s website and log in to receive the valuable continuing education emails full of tips and stories included in the price of the book. Kindle also available. Add shipping and handling to the price. Click here: https://www.ProtectYourPetGuideBook.com
2. Go directly to Amazon and add shipping and handling to the price. Also, you will need to go to the website later to sign up for the continuing education email tips included with the book price. Kindle also available. Click here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MS5KJLT
3. Order directly from co-author Scott M. Haskins for $30.00 and have the book custom inscribed and signed (obviously, no refunds afterwards). Handling and shipping are included in the price as is the continuing education of email tips. Softcover book only available at this time. Order from a live person with your credit card. Call 805 564 3438 (if no answer, leave a message or email us and we will call you back faclofficemanager@gmail.com )

Protect Your Pet Guidebook can be found on social media: Instagram and Facebook.

Protect Your Pet Guidebook Received and international book award on Sept. 19, 2020

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