Comments about ‘Driving dogs: Owners often buy cars with pets' needs in mind’

Many insurance companies are covering animals hurt or killed in auto accidents.

Some of them cover it free. Check it out with your company.

Like many, my animals are my family.

are the most patient passengers you'll ever take for a ride

for animals are in the back of the truck. They love the air.

You are wrong, wrong WRONG. What happens to the animals enjoying the air in the back of your truck if you have to stop suddenly or are involved in an accident?? HUH? I'll tell you: They go flying thru the air, possibly into traffic, not only hurting your animal but potentially also causing an accident and injuries for someone else. Either that, or your animal gets choked to death on its own leash, if you bothered even so much as to restrain it on a leash in the back of your sainted truck.

And all that air you say animals love is not good for their eyes at the speeds you'll be driving down the road.

If you love your animals, put them inside your vehicle. And if you don't love them enough to do that, then do everyone a favor and don't have them.

Farmer's Insurance offers this at no extra cost as part of its auto coverage. I think the limit is $500 for a pet injured or killed in an auto accident.

Is story really in a news paper??

it really bugs me when i go into a grocery store and people are carrying their dog,or the dog is in the cart; not to mention it is against health code to bring animals into a food store unless it is a seeing eye dog.

I have also noticed that people bring their dogs to the Smith's grocery store and Home Depot by my house too! It is completely rude and inappropriate to do so, especially with allergies and hygiene issues -- WHO do these pet owners think they are? The problem is that management has to step in and order these people to leave the store. When they fail to do so, it sends the message that this is acceptable. Shame on these ignorant people!

I have seen pet dogs in grocery stores sniffing the food. Don't people realize that dogs carry roundworms and other types of parasites that can be harmful to humans. Also, not just is it a bad thing to let your dog drive your car but it is also harmful for many gardeners in Utah, to have to deal with dog poop in their gardens. Or for dogs to use it where people grow their food. Shame on these disrespectful humans who act like dogs.

I agree with not taking your dogs into stores. The above posters need to settle down as they are missing the point of "taking dogs to the grocery store." Majority of people take their dogs for rides, which can mean going to the grocery store. It doesn't necessarily mean they're taking them physically into the store. I honestly can't remember the last time I actually saw a dog in a store.

I watched a woman who's chihuahua pooch defecated in the shopping cart there at Home Depot. Instead of cleaning up her dogs stinky poo she fled the store. BOY, did it ever smell up the entire store like real BAD. People were wondering who messed in their pants.

I would not consider taking my dogs into grocery stores but let's be honest, I have seen some pretty, dirty, ill-kempt children running all over stores, handling fresh food items, hauling apart toys and other merchanise and generally causing a problem. Should we ban them as well and before you say it, I work in a grocery store and have seen filthy hands, ringworm and even on occasion lice. Usually the dogs which are brought into my store are well cared for, clean and well-behaved.

You bet, I chose my vehicle to accomodate my grandchildren and my pets. My grandkids thinks it's wonderful that my pom has a car seat which he is clipped into. Grandkids don't whine about getting into their seats when they see the dog willingly get into his. I bought a hybrid SUV just to cart around all my family members. I probably wouldn't take my dog into a store other than Petsmart.

Just because there are some illiterate parents out there who know nothing about hygiene..as well, many dog owners are lacking the same qualities. Never the less this DOES NOT give anyone the right to take a animal into a grocery store where there is food that can be contaminated by a smelly filthy dog. Why don't you stay on the subject of DIRTY dogs that stink, and also lick themselves in private areas of their bodies. Really, it doesn't take too much intelligence to learn good hygiene, manners and to respect the health of others. Unless however, a person is just a down right dirty SLOB!

I've been involved with dog activities for over 15 years. It basically comes down to one thing: responsibility. Good dog owners ALWAYS clean up after their pets, never take them in areas they shouldn't, get some basic obedience, keep them safe when traveling, and keep them clean and healthy. I would never take my pet into a grocery store due to hygiene, but must admit that my dogs are cleaner than many children I work with. So let's not be judgemental and use words like DIRTY. What we need to do is try to educate all the pet owners out there on how to be responsible. Unfortunately it's those bad apples that ruin it for the rest of us.

Who cares about the car story? Agree with others...the pampering of pets is getting ridiculous. And to justify taking dogs into food stores by putting blame on dirty human children is a perfect example. And I'm a dog love who thinks it's totally inappropriate that many stores are allowing dogs inside. They are obviously pandering to animal lovers but I will never shop at lowes again because a little dog came over and started licking my ankle. Of course the owner said "oh isn't that cute...my doggy just loves to go to lowes." Get real!

After reading the post from "Best Place" then your outraged reply, well it looks like you took the bait and reacted in exactly the way the author intended...outraged!!

Lets get one thing straight here, QUIT comparing human children with your mangy mutts. Dogs will always be dirtier than humans. Dogs are not human, and they don't live more than 15 to 20 years at the most, and they have the brain of a very low existence. They do not belong in grocery stores PERIOD!!!

How did we go from an article about people considering the needs of their pets when buying a car to people complaining about dogs in stores? Not the point of the article or the forum for registering your displeasure.

I completely agree with Rod B. Everyone concerned with "dirty dogs" in stores completely missed the point of the article. They probably all failed the comprehension section of their ACT or SAT.