Honda's Dog Friendly Element

Check this out: Honda has shown the Honda Element SUV at the recent NY Int'l Auto Show.

It has:

• a cushioned pet bed with safety restaints in teh cargo area
• a spill-resistant water bowl
• a ventilation fan
• a folding ramp giving dogs an easy way to get in the car.
• a pet carrier in the backseat
• machine-washable seat covers
• rubber floor mats with dog patterns

This car should be available in the fall and is assembled in East Liberty, Ohio (yeah!).

Personally, I think the Element is a really strange looking car. I've got a Chevy Venture Van, 2001, and it works great for our three dogs (and a parrot in a traveling cage on long trips). I can put my plus-size son, his girlfriend and her wheelchair, plus two small dogs, and various picnic supplies easily in the van. I've had a Toyota Rav4 in the past, and very much prefer a van over an SUV. I don't like climbing up into a car.

But what interests me is that Honda has listened to what consumers want in a car and how to fit the car to their lives. A lot of what they are offering in this car may be easy to get a la carte and put into the car you already have. For instance, our Pekingese goes ballistic when left in the car (window cracked or a/c left on, of course). My son recommended I set up the extra dog cage in the back of the van for him, so he will feel he's in his "den." (He loves his crate at home and goes in there on his own at 10:00 pm when he feels everyone should be sleeping.) So, I'm going to try that soon, for our summer out and abouting.

A few years ago I purchased an "adapter-thingy" that fits into the cigarette lighter and has 2 electrical outlets on it (for same son's laptop with poor battery). Perhaps I could pull this out of a box in the garage and put it in the car with one of those little fans you can get at Walmart.

Washable car seat covers should be easy to find. We've already got a gallon of water and extra bowls in the car.

Sometimes making do is best in the long run. We won't be purchasing the Element, but it's an interesting trend, no?