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A Tribute To The Newf Mobile #AutotraderDogDay

A Tribute To The Newf Mobile #AutotraderDogDay

“This post is sponsored by Autotrader; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.”

In honor of National Dog Day next week, we’ve teamed with Autotrader, the ultimate automotive marketplace, to help celebrate and honor dogs. Autotrader knows that having a pet-friendly vehicle is a top priority for most pet owners so they make sure to provide several resources to help guide them in selecting a vehicle that is perfect for their pet lifestyle and all of their future road trips so I wanted to take this time to share a little bit about how perfect our car has been for our Newfie lifestyle.

The first time that my husband and I left our kids alone for more than a few hours was the weekend we drove to Michigan to pick up Sherman.  I was a typical paranoid parent leaving my kids for the first time. I wrote out specific instructions for our families in case something happened to us on our trip and about 3/4’s of the way into our voyage, as we drove through an ice storm,  I was happy that I did.

My life flashed before me at least 3 times during that trip because the weather was so bad. At one point I figured that if it was my time to leave this world, driving to pick up my dream dog was the way to do it. Luckily, this wasn’t my time to leave arrived to our destination to pick Sherman.

Our ride back home was less eventful, although still a little nerve-wracking since Sherman wouldn’t even look at me. I remember that I sat in the back seat with him and he made sure that he was as far away from me as possible. Every time that I would try to inch a little closer to him, he would move a little closer to the door.

Great. My dream dog hates me.

Fast forward a few months and Sherman finally decided that he was with us for the long haul.

Picking up Leroy was a bit different.

We picked Leroy up at the airport. It was a 10 minute drive on a beautiful Fall day. We took him out of crate, put him on the backseat, he bounced around in the car biting my legs, puked, put him back in the crate, took him out of the car and crate when we got home and he tried to run away.

Great. This ones defective.

A Tribute To The Newf Mobile #AutotraderDogDay

Fast forward a few years, and Leroy is still defective but cute.

Both Sherman and Leroy came home in the same car, my Chevy Suburban, a.k.a The Newf Mobile.

We got the Newf Mobile about 12 years ago. When we were searching for that car I knew that not only would that be our new family car, it would also be the car that drove my future Newfoundland. I already had a deposit down on Sherman, I knew he was in my future and I knew he needed a car that would be Newfoundland friendly.

The Newf Mobile has been through it all.

Not only has she transported 2 puppies to their new home, she’s also safely driven 300 pounds of dog to hundreds of vet appointments, she endured Leroy’s car sickness, she’s been to hundreds of dog shows and brought home 2 champions. She’s been to parks, lakes and everywhere in between.

She’s been slobbered on, pooped on and puked in. She’s had many bowls of water dumped in her. She’s transported wet dogs, dry dogs, dogs blowing coat, dogs that couldn’t walk, dogs covered in sand, hungry dogs, happy dogs and stinky dogs.

She has slobber and dog hair in every nook and cranny and she never complained about it.

She’s been an awesome car and well worth the investment but she’s seen better days. She’s old, she smells and she has a few internal issues.

A Tribute To The Newf Mobile #AutotraderDogDay

My family thinks that I need to start looking for a replacement but I’m reluctant. I think she still has at least a year left and she can never be replaced….. but since all good things must come to an end eventually, I’ve slowly been looking at future possibilities.

While I mostly just go off cars that catch my eye, I also read reviews. Autotrader has put together a nice list of dog- friendly cars and honestly, a few of the ones listed,  Chrysler Pacifica and the Subaru Crosstrek are on my list.

I’m still undecided. I don’t what car will be lucky enough to be the next Newf Mobile but I do know that she’ll have a lot to live up to. I guess until then I’ll be looking forward to the day that Autotrader releases a limted time only “New Dog Smell” car freshner that’s suppose to remind you of that first ride home with your new pet.  For each free air freshener claimed, Autotrader will make an in-kind donation to an animal-focused charity to help support the wellbeing of our four-legged friends.  You can enter for a chance to win HERE.


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Shadow and Ducky's Mom

Wednesday 23rd of August 2017

I hate having to buy new cars! I still had my Chevy Blazer when Callie and Shadow joined the family. They were both very good about sharing the back seat, especially once I found a hammock-style seat cover. But the gas mileage was horrible and just got worse. So we traded for an Impala. The back seat is actually a teensy bit wider, so it was great for the girls. And, since we had no intention of adding a 3rd dog, it was perfect. It was the Golden Chariot for another 6 years. The car has been through a lot over the nearly 11 years. But she still runs great and hopefully has at least another few years on her.

Good luck with your search for a new Newf Mobile!

Monika & Sam

Thursday 17th of August 2017

I rue the day I have to replace my vehicle and would rather set my hair on fire than deal with dealerships, sales people and sales managers. And then there's that whole thing of trying to decide on whether white or silver is the better color to camouflage road dirt. ? Good luck. And kudos to Autotrader for their charitable work.

Jen

Monday 21st of August 2017

I hear you. Buying a car is so stressful and it's an event that I'm not looking forward to so the longer I can hold it off the better!

Kelley Gray

Thursday 17th of August 2017

We went through the same thing. When we brought Moses home our SUV had plenty of room. Fast forward 3 months and we had to choose between taking Moses or or son because of the space issue. After Jordan joined our family we crammed both dogs in the backseat when we would go somewhere. Then Jordan injured her leg one Saturday jumping for the back and we were at the dealership on Monday looking at minivans. We love it! Stow and go seating give them a full 8 feet of flat floor space and only about a foot step up to get in and out. And there's air conditioning to the back space that can be set cooler for them so I don't have to freeze in November with the air on in the front! We never thought that we would own another minivan especially as empty nesters but as long as there are Newfies we'll never own anything else.

Jen

Monday 21st of August 2017

I've heard that mini vans make very good Newf mobiles! I bet getting in and out are easier than most SUV's!

Emma

Wednesday 16th of August 2017

Mom always considers us dogs first when getting a new car. We are much smaller, but with three of us, we need room too. Hope your baby keeps driving another year for you.

Jen

Monday 21st of August 2017

Thank you! I bet Mom makes sure the 3 of you have the best car to go on all your adventures!

All Things Collie

Wednesday 16th of August 2017

I have a colliemobile, and she's been through all the same trials. :)

Jen

Monday 21st of August 2017

Hahaha Love that!

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