Mon, Jan 28th 2008

O’Donnell Industries Inc. Medium Pet Car Seat Lookout

Little dogs want a view, too

Pet Car Seat Lookout: Twyla gets carsick. Whether she’s riding in the passenger footwell of the Mazda Miata (not really recommended for safety reasons), in a crate in the cargo area of the Outback or secured by a seatbelt in the backseat of the Subaru Outback, whether she’s eaten or is traveling on an empty stomach, she silently throws up.

Part of the problem, I suspected, was that she couldn’t see out the window. Fresh air and a view of the horizon often help people and animals that suffer from motion sickness. After a recent trip to the Bay Area, during which she vomited coming and going -- I decided once again to search for a car seat that would give her a ride with a view.

I’ve looked before. The last one I purchased was difficult to assemble and seemed flimsy. We took it back instead of trying it out. The cushy Lookout appeared more promising.

Described as a booster seat for small pets, the model I purchased has a slot in the back for securing the Lookout with the car’s seatbelt. The washable microsuede cover — ours came in cappuccino with camel cording — envelopes a lambswool interior. A small strap attaches to the D ring of the dog’s harness — not the collar — and goes around the seatbelt that holds the Lookout in place. It cost $140, but the saleswoman assured me that I could return it if it didn’t work out.

“Even if she throws up on it?” my husband asked dubiously.

“Well, I would regard that as evidence that it didn’t work out,” I replied. (We draped a towel over it just in case.)

Our round trip test drive took us from Orange County to Santa Monica, an hour each way that encompassed high freeway speeds, circular off ramps, and stop-and-go surface street traffic. For a black and tan dog, Twyla looked a little green occasionally, but she didn’t throw up. The seat offered plenty of room for a 13.5-pound dog to lie down and stretch out. With the cushion removed, she could rest her head on the rim, and there was room in the corner for one of the collapsible pet dishes from her EBD Carry-all.

Drawbacks? The adjustable strap that attaches to the halter is a bit short and doesn’t give the dog much scope for moving around in the seat. Nor does it have a storage drawer like some of the other models. For $140, I feel entitled to a storage drawer.

We haven’t given the Lookout the ultimate test -- taking Twyla over the Grapevine, through the Tejon Pass, up the I-5 freeway and across Rt. 152, a twisty, hill-acious ride if ever there was one, but for now we give it 4 paws.

Retail price for the Medium Pet Car Seat Lookout is $140 and it’s available at pet retail-supply outlets nationwide. The company’s website is www.snoozerpetproducts.com and the toll free phone number is 800-635-9755.

-- Kim Campbell Thornton