Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/carbon-footprints-ditch-the-dog-get-a-hummer-h2-save-the-plan/#commentsFiled under: ,



If you don't like dogs, there's now a new reason to continue avoiding canis domesticus. New Zealanders Robert and Brenda Vale have put forth the hypothesis that the care and feeding of a pooch is more environmentally harmful than rolling in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Those shifty, antisocial felines aren't much better, so don't get any more smug than you already are, cat people. One ten-pound feline's care is the same to the environment as a 3300-pound Volkswagen Golf, the theory goes.

The Vales present this work in their book "Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living." The animals that wind up in dog food burden the land while they're alive, and the amount of goodies that people lavish upon their dogs, from squeaky toy to special grooming sessions also do the equivalent work of burning the rainforest.

The claims have been disputed, of course - no doubt by more than a few dog lovers. The chief researcher for Seattle's Sightline Institute, Clark Williams-Derry, ran some numbers of his own and came up with results that don't square with the Vales. The think-tank scientist calculated that for the Vale's numbers to add up, the average dog would have to eat twice as much as the average person, an idea that is difficult to fathom since people are heavier than most dogs.

The takeaway from all this is simply that dog (and cat) ownership does have an ecological footprint. Like everything else in your life, keeping a pet is intertwined with our insatiable consumerism. The truly concerned will carefully consider where the products and items they purchase for their pets are made, what goes into them, and what that means for the planet. The rest of you will keep letting adorable little Beaufort leaves deposit on our lawns.

[Source: Seattle Times | Image: Andrew H. Walker/Getty]

Carbon Footprints: Ditch the dog, get a Hummer H2, save the planet? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbon footprintCarbonFootprintcat friendlyCatFriendlydogdog carbon footprintdog environmentdog friendlyDogCarbonFootprintDogEnvironmentDogFriendlydogsenvironmentenvironment dogenvironment petsenvironmentalenvironmental impactEnvironmentalImpactenvironmentalismenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlyEnvironmentDogEnvironmentPetsgreenpetpet environmentpet friendlypet ownershipPetEnvironmentPetFriendlyPetOwnershippetsmartWed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda goes to the dogs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/honda-goes-to-the-dogs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/honda-goes-to-the-dogs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/honda-goes-to-the-dogs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click the photo above for fur friendly Honda images.

Many folks consult their best friend before making a big purchase. Since the dog is known as man's best friend, owners tend to cater towards their pets when buying a new car. In the United States, that means dog lovers often end up with trucks, SUVs or crossovers. However, in Japan, efficient use of space is a bit more of a priority. That is why Honda Japan developed the Honda Dog website. It all started with the Honda Vamos Dog Edition, but has since expanded to include other offerings. While the site features Honda's pet friendly accessories such as strap-in carriers and mats, it also shows how easily your Corgi will fit into your Fit.

Honda Dog touches upon all dog owner concerns. There are pictures showing how you can arrange pet crates in a variety of Honda vehicles. It even provides dimensions on the best entryway for your small to full-size tongue-wagger. Worried about all that pet hair or soggy dog odor? Honda Dog contains analysis on the ease of pet hair cleanup from vehicle interiors. It also indicates how Honda's advanced deodorization filter can reduce allergens and undesired smells. For some reason, the site even finds it necessary to point out how toys and water bottles fit nicely into the interior compartments such as the glove box, in case you couldn't figure it out for yourself. View the gallery to see a sampling of what Honda Dog has to offer.

Gallery: Honda Dog


[Source: Honda Dog]

Honda goes to the dogs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DogFitfreedHondaSun, 01 Jun 2008 15:19:00 EST<![CDATA[California law proposes ban on lap pets in car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/california-law-proposes-ban-on-lap-pets-in-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/california-law-proposes-ban-on-lap-pets-in-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/california-law-proposes-ban-on-lap-pets-in-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

Drivers give in to a lot of distractions behind the wheel. Phone calls, eating, drinking, and slapping the kids around are one thing, but something that's always irked us is drivers traveling with pets on their laps. Aside from the possibility of Fluffy freaking out and doing its doggone best to create a crash, we've always envisioned a Chihuahua-sized cavity in someone's chest after the airbag deploys. Well, California Assemblyman Bill Maze shares our concern and has proposed a bill to make it illegal for an animal to be held on a driver's lap while behind the wheel. The bill passed the Assembly on Monday by a vote of 44-11 and is on its way to the state Senate before landing on Arnie's desk. Here's hoping that the Governator does what's right for man and his best friend.

[Source: AP]

California law proposes ban on lap pets in car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 May 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assemblybill mazeBillMazecaliforniacatdogdriving with petdriving with petsDrivingWithPetDrivingWithPetssenateWed, 07 May 2008 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Nissan Qashqai gets even more extreme, in Thailand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/video-nissan-qashqai-gets-even-more-extreme-in-thailand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/video-nissan-qashqai-gets-even-more-extreme-in-thailand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/video-nissan-qashqai-gets-even-more-extreme-in-thailand/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view the new Nissan Qashqai ad.

After Nissan scored creative points with its last Qashqai spot showing the 'lil CUV taking to the half pipe and performing skateboard stunts that would make Rodney Mullen's head spin, its now released a new campaign that involves - God help us - a driving dog, a Thai musical stunt team and a flaming hoop. The ad is part of Nissan's newest viral campaign that will highlight four amateur performance groups - the first from Thailand, followed by teams of Flemish, Polish and African descent - on the blog.spannerleague.com website. Look for new videos to pop up each month, but without further ado, hit the jump to watch man's best friend risk life and four limbs along with his band of (obviously fake) Thai musicians.

Continue reading VIDEO: Nissan Qashqai gets even more extreme, in Thailand

VIDEO: Nissan Qashqai gets even more extreme, in Thailand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dogflaming hoopFlamingHoopnissannissan qashqaiNissanQashqaiqashqaiviral adViralAdMon, 28 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Man's best friend relegated to running board sack in 1936]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/15/mans-best-friend-relegated-to-running-board-sack-in-1936/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/15/mans-best-friend-relegated-to-running-board-sack-in-1936/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/15/mans-best-friend-relegated-to-running-board-sack-in-1936/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Back in the day, they loved their unmitigated dangerousness. Don't want exciteable little Muffy getting all nutso and chewing the seat foam? Stick him in his very own doggy bag and make his stinky little backside ride on the running board. Cut one of those shrinking yellow lights too close, and you'll let all the jelly filling out of your canine friend with this rig, but the dog would probably love this style of travel. The only modern car you could attempt this stunt with would be a New Beetle, though there's plenty of trucks with running boards. What's a better combo than a man and his truck, with his dog in a bag outside?

[Source: Modern Mechanix via Digg]

Man's best friend relegated to running board sack in 1936 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bagdogdog in a sackdog in bagdog on running boardDogInASackDogInBagDogOnRunningBoardmodern mechanixModernMechanixrunning boardRunningBoardvintage magazineVintageMagazineSat, 15 Mar 2008 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[It's Dodge Nitro vs. dog in "shocking" new viral]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/video-shocking-dodge-nitro-electrocutes-dog/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/video-shocking-dodge-nitro-electrocutes-dog/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/18/video-shocking-dodge-nitro-electrocutes-dog/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Dodge Nitro may not be flying off dealer lots right now, but at least the mid-size SUV's advertising campaign has taken on a life of its own. You probably remember the commercial in which the owner of a Nitro gives a motorist a jump, only to blow his car sky-high. Someone has cooked up a viral spot in which a dog that tries to do his business on a hydrant-red Nitro, but winds up getting the (last) shock of its life. PETA members can't be pleased, but it's just a commercial (a European one, based on that front license tag). Check it out after the jump, unless you've recently lost a pet. Especially to an angry Nitro that shoots Force lightning.

[Source: YouTube]

Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Continue reading It's Dodge Nitro vs. dog in "shocking" new viral

It's Dodge Nitro vs. dog in "shocking" new viral originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DodgeDogelectricuteNitroviral adViralAdWed, 18 Jul 2007 18:02:00 EST