Feb
2013
Most Big Purchases I Make Are Made With My Dogs In Mind
As a serious dog owner a lot of my “life” decisions are made around my dogs.
A lot of purchases get made with them in mind.
Is it dog friendly? Was it made with pets in mind? Are questions that I ask myself a lot.
And to be honest I am more likely to purchase a product if it has a dog in it’s advertisement.
Why? Because I like to think that this company was keeping in mind the needs and wants of a pet owner when they created it? Is that always true? No. But I like to think it is.
They’ve seen the stats, They know what an important roll pets play in the lives of people these days. They know that most average households include a pet and they know that pet owners are willing to spend money when it comes to them.
It’s not just a dog anymore. It’s a member of the family.
I’m always gonna buy the stain removal product with the picture of the dog on it rather than the one with the picture of the red wine spill on it. (after reading the ingredients of course)
Come on. It’s they way we think.
And some companies have figured that out.
Which is why I really like the new Subaru Dog Tested. Dog Approved campaign.
Subaru’s based a whole campaign geared towards dogs.
Dogs have been driving Subaru vehicles for years, which begs the question, where are they buying them? Meet Grant Weber, the most beloved Subaru Canine Sales Associate.
Besides having a salesperson dedicated to selling cars to dogs, they’ve created several commercials and have even launched a new Facebook app which we’ll take about more later this week!
Even though we’re not in the market to purchase a new car just yet, Leroy and I visited our local Subaru a few weeks ago to see what they had to offer and if they really were a dog friendly type of business.
We weren’t at all disappointed with our visit and we’re greeted with friendly sales associates who welcomed us into their showroom despite the slobber hanging from Leroy’s mouth and his wet paws.
The only awkward moment we had was when I asked if they had a Subaru that could handle all of Leroy’s chocolate goodness.
I guess that was like asking them if they actually sold cars because we had a few seconds of very awkward silence and then they walked us over to the Subaru Forester, which defintley had enough room to fit Leroy and Sherman comfortably, and was by far my favorite model they had, but I would love to see a little more room in the cargo area for large dogs and their baggage. (just a little hint to Subaru:)
Leroy was invited to jump in and test it out, but I politely declined because all that kept running through my mind was, “If he breaks it, I don’t have enough money to buy it.” And with Leroy that is always a possibility.
I think Subaru’s new Dog Tested. Dog Approved campaign is right on and the fact that Subaru has been known to be very supportive of dog rescues and sponsoring pet related events is leading them to a whole new market of very smart customers.
So how about you? Are most of the BIG purchases you make made with your dog in mind? Did you ever purchase a car to accommodate the dog in your life? Are you more apt to look into buying a product with a dog as part of the campaign or doesn’t this matter?
This post is sponsored by Subaru. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Dog Tested. Dog Approved.™ campaign, but My Brown Newfies only shares news for things we support.
Carma Poodale
February 10, 2013 at 8:42 am (129 days ago)Years ago my pawents bought a new car because the dog, Hank loved it. Whenever buying anything such as carpet, sofas, beds etc they always make sure that it is something that we dogs will enjoy (and not destroy)
Christopher Raimo
February 10, 2013 at 8:52 am (129 days ago)I found your blog on Twitter and I love your furry truffles! Case in point on your blog? We bought a house with our dog’s in mind. They’re older so anything taller than a ranch would not work (too many stairs) and we of course needed a “dog approved” back yard. The quiet, sidewalk lined neighborhood is great for daily walks and the wood stove…ahh, the wood stove is enjoyed by all of us but I’ll be damned if they don’t park themselves front and center. Including our pets in our life’s decisions is one good thing about our cultural evolution – even if it seems to be one of the only good things. If the world ends – we’ll be squeezing our pups tight!
melF
February 10, 2013 at 9:11 am (129 days ago)I have to admit that I have been tempted to consider a Subaru because of their advertising, but I love my Honda Element too much to give it up yet. I love teh ads and that they have thought about what would be dog friendly.
Dawn
February 10, 2013 at 9:53 am (129 days ago)Me too! Almost everything is about Maya & Pierson (or so they think). But a car definitely is. My last car was purchased because the trunk was big enough to hold Maya’s large crate. No, Maya did not ride in the kennel in the trunk. She rode in the back seat. But when you plan on staying in a hotel, they ask that if you leave your dog unattended in the room that you keep them in a crate so they don’t get outside when room service comes in (or scare the room service attendants to death when your big Labrador jumps up on them). I think our next vehicle will be an SUV, perhaps a Subaru.
Cathy
February 10, 2013 at 10:08 am (129 days ago)Guilty as charged. When we go to purchase vehicles we always say to ourselves will the newfie fit? Even discussed it with the last car sales person. (they even offered to let us do a test fit, HAHA) so we are owned by our dog and a number of our purchases reflect that..LOL
Roxy the traveling dog
February 10, 2013 at 10:10 am (129 days ago)Isn’t it funny how pet parents make decisions on purchases. I think it’s great the companies are finally catching on too.
Taryn
February 10, 2013 at 11:09 am (129 days ago)I absolutely bought my car with the dogs in mind! I wanted a car that was good for commuting to work (great gas mileage!) but also good for agility trials. My apologies to your sponsor, but it wasn’t a Subaru
I did test drive one and I did love it but the price was too high for my budget and the gas mileage too low……
Diana Stoll
February 10, 2013 at 11:16 am (129 days ago)When we got Shaftoe and Glory as puppies, I had a Mustang Convertible. Fine for puppies, but WAY too small for grown dogs! So, we measured how much space the dogs took up when they were cuddled together on the floor, then went car shopping. We wanted the smallest vehicle that was large enough for us and our two dogs (with the dogs secured in the cargo area, and the back seat up and configured for other passengers and/or stuff needed for a road trip). We had fun — we went to various auto dealerships, asked them to open up the cargo area of their vehicles, and we measured them. Anything too small was immediately scratched off the list! We did visit Subaru and looked at the Forester and the Tribeca. We felt the cargo areas of each were too small for us. We ended up with a Honda Pilot and we LOVE it! It’s very comfortable for all of us on long drives. It was, by far, the most expensive thing we’ve purchased specifically with our dogs in mind.
Diana Stoll
February 10, 2013 at 11:17 am (129 days ago)I should add that the car that my husband drives every day is a Subaru Impreza WRX, and we LOVE it too!
Jessica
February 10, 2013 at 11:32 am (129 days ago)We are actually shopping for a new car right now, and Subaru is pretty high up the list. Not so much because of the dog friendly campaign, but because they do a similar targeted marketing toward mountain bikers (which my husband is). I do like this ad campaign a lot, though.
With a 30 lb dog it doesn’t matter quite so much what car you buy. He can fit in anything. His travel *stuff* is huge, though. Crate, toys, a cooler full of special food.
Kimberly, The Fur Mom
February 10, 2013 at 11:59 am (129 days ago)My car broke down Thursday night. Transmission. I have to have it fixed and then I’m trading it in for a Subaru. I know the car that I want. And, you’re right, I’m making this purchasing decision with our dogs in mind. They come with me almost everywhere. We take road trips with them, we go hiking, walking, playing, and sometimes just to the pet store. I need a car that fits 2 humans and 3 dogs comfortably and I think Subaru can help me with that.
K
2 brown dawgs
February 10, 2013 at 12:43 pm (129 days ago)Well yeah I guess I would say we do think of the dogs considering we recently purchased 2 new cars and a dog trailer just to haul the dogs. lol
Nichole
February 10, 2013 at 1:37 pm (129 days ago)Good for you for being compensated for the Subaru post… great job! We love their marketing campaign and the new doggy commercials.
Pibbles & Me
February 10, 2013 at 1:54 pm (129 days ago)Absolutely! We definitely have to put our furchildren’s interest at heart when buying new things. We’ve done it with vehicles, furniture, flooring, carpeting and our bedding! Great post! Love seeing all the Subaru love!
janet
February 10, 2013 at 2:07 pm (129 days ago)Right on, not only are the BIG purchases made with my dogs in mind, so are the small purchases, even things like cleaning supplies. Lovely that Subaru knows our canine companions ARE our family!
emma
February 10, 2013 at 2:39 pm (129 days ago)Mom says that as long as she has a dog, which will be forever, she will have to drive an SUV type vehicle for them but she doesn’t mind. She also has to have a house that is dog friendly with a good yard that does not have public access on any side…among many other things
Stephen Andrew
February 10, 2013 at 2:43 pm (129 days ago)It’s funny I have always driven BMWs, I love everything about them…but there is a strong possibility my next car will be a Subaru. I can’t help but feel connected to a company that loves dogs as much as I do. Just as I more easily relate to people who love dogs, I feel more akin to companies that do as well
Daisy
February 10, 2013 at 3:51 pm (129 days ago)From someone who bought a couch big enough for three dogs…that could be scotch guarded AND cars with electric windows, so the dogs hang out, SHE understands you perfectly.
XXXOOO daisy, bella & Roxy
Finn
February 10, 2013 at 6:17 pm (129 days ago)That’s pretty funny! Sometimes I get a “I don’t want my weekend to revolve around the dog” from my husband, but he always gives in. So, I would imagine if our weekend activities revolve around the dog, so does much else in our lives!
Leslie
February 10, 2013 at 7:07 pm (129 days ago)I am loving this campaign. I wish I had been able to partake because I actually OWN a Subaru.. Alas and alack, life had other plans for me at the moment…
I love your post and of course every decision I make is made with my dog in mind. I once bought a car with the single stipulation that it be big enough to hold my dog and my backpack.
PS – had to chuckle at you not letting Leroy actually get in the car.
Julie
February 10, 2013 at 7:51 pm (129 days ago)I think your pups might be a little “smushed” in an Outback! Cali enjoys her Toyota minivan . . .it’s just her speed!!
kristi
February 10, 2013 at 8:26 pm (129 days ago)I always shop with the critters in mind hence why I drive a mini-van and I have no 2 legged children! An Outback would be nice however……
houndstooth
February 10, 2013 at 10:14 pm (129 days ago)I am totally with you on that! I love that you visited the Subaru dealership with Leroy! That is awesome!
Tylersat99
February 10, 2013 at 11:48 pm (129 days ago)Jen, we have driven a Subaru for more than 10 yrs. I love the handling in all weather and my dogs have always loved the ride. The rear suspension is made to easily carry all that weight. BTW they haven’t been able to break one yet
Sage
February 11, 2013 at 8:53 pm (128 days ago)We seriously considered a Subaru when we recently purchased a new car, but were looking for better fuel economy. We took Sage with us when we went car shopping and she was the star of the VW dealership. Dogs rule!!