Chicago 2009: This show is for the dogs

Click above for a gallery of K9s at the Chicago Auto Show

For the second year in a row, the Chicago Auto Show has been invaded by our furry, four-legged friends as the Bark Buckle UP campaign announces its Pet Safe Choice Awards. We moseyed on down to the show floor to spend some quality time with the dozen or so K9s in attendance after they'd graduated from the American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. program. More to the point, here are the winners of the Pet Safe Awards:

Pet Safe Vehicle of Choice: GMC Acadia
Pet Safe Hotel of Choice: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
Pet Safe Airline of Choice: American Airlines
Pet Safe Retailer of Choice: PetSmart

We were a bit shocked when the group informed us that 98% of all dogs that travel in vehicles do so unrestrained. This could be a major safety hazard, especially since pet travel has reportedly increased by 300% since 2005 and a 60-pound dog can turn into a 2,700 pound projectile in a 30 mph accident. Needless to say, that's unsafe for both pets and their owners. In other words... better buckle up.

Related GalleryChicago 2009: Bark Buckle UP dogs

Category: Chicago Auto Show, Safety, GMC

Tags: 2009 pet safe choice awards, 2009PetSafeChoiceAwards, bark buckle up, BarkBuckleUp, chicago, chicago 2009, chicago auto show, chicago auto show dogs, Chicago2009, ChicagoAutoShow, ChicagoAutoShowDogs, pet safe choice awards, pet safety, PetSafeChoiceAwards, PetSafety

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Griz Guy

Thanks for the reminder about securing my dog. I have had a harness for the car since the day I got my Springer Spaniel from a shelter... But I have to admit, that the last few months, I've not used it. I've been rationalizing that "it's only two miles" to his doggie daycare or "it's only twenty minutes" to the dog park or running trail. But I know I would much rather have a dog to take such places than lose him in an accident, so I'll dig out the harness and start using it again.
Thanks!

February 14 2009 at 2:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Phat

What kind of dog is #4 ? Would like to read more about them.

February 13 2009 at 2:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Golden Monkey

#6 Border Terrier FTW! I have one and they are awesome dogs.

February 13 2009 at 9:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tina

@vegas guy, seems foolish of you to ever click on a link, they are rarely what they seem to be and another thing you leftists need to understand that 53 million people didn't vote for Obama so man up and learn to take some heat because it comes with the territory. We had to hear a relentless Bush bash from the get go so quit whining buddy!

February 13 2009 at 9:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

RLQ

Labs rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 12 2009 at 8:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

brandon

Chicago got voted the 3rd most miserable city in the Country according for forbes! Ive never lived there but here are some reasons I found by someone who has lived before. Pretty interesting.

http://www.gotoguy.com/2009/02/12/my-miserable-hometown/

February 12 2009 at 7:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to brandon's comment

the vegas style guy

I love how your "link from a friend" ends up being an Obama bash. That's classy. Do you really think people like you who want our new President to fail need such a lame trick to give them more talking points? Don't you guys get your marching orders when you get up off your knees and wipe your mouths after your daily Rush Limbaugh visit?

February 12 2009 at 8:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jorge

Nice dogs!! I miss my GSD!

February 12 2009 at 6:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

JDMlover

I love dogs.

February 12 2009 at 6:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Wow, that's a really unattractive group of Grid Girls.

February 12 2009 at 5:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Erik

"We were a bit shocked when the group informed us that 98% of all dogs that travel in vehicles do so unrestrained."

Really? I have NEVER seen a dog restrained in a vehicle, not even once. 98% sounds about right. It has always been interesting to me to see dog lovers toting their babies around in cars everywhere they go. I mean if they really loved the dogs, wouldn't they leave them home where they are safe? I understand if you are going to the vet or something, but bringing rover along to lead around petsmart or just for the ride seems irresponsible.

February 12 2009 at 5:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Erik's comment

kumquat

Some dogs, particularly the smarter ones like German Shepherds and Collies, can get separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. It's even worse if the dog is neurotic. A friend of mine adopted a large GSD a while ago. When she left him home alone for a few hours, he ripped out a large part of a closet door frame and vomited everywhere.

Now she takes him pretty much everywhere, including to lunch, which is kind of inconvenient and hairy. Ah, the things you do for love.

February 12 2009 at 6:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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