Dogs In The Back Seat

“Doggies, Sit!”

Tails wagging, Joey and Lacey take their assigned seats as I attach their safety harnesses. And eagerly look out the window to enjoy the ride.

As a purebred Brittany Spaniel breeder and caregiver, I foster joy and love in the world around me during a time of terrible pandemic uncertainty. My dogs are my family. Training my dogs to travel properly in my car and transporting their puppies safely is of the highest importance, and ensures that I also follow all rules and regulations on the road to be the best driver possible.

Here’s my story.

I love dogs. My talent as a caregiver and breeder began after my family adopted two Brittany spaniels, Joey and Lacey, when I was thirteen. My dogs became my trusted exercise companions, emotional advocates, and daily greeters. I taught myself how to instruct my dogs to follow basic commands. I learned to manage their basic care, including daily grooming and dental and nutritional hygiene. Enamored with their special personalities, I started researching everything about dogs, particularly Brittany Spaniels. They are highly intelligent and athletic working dogs, combining several traits of other single breeds, and their extreme affection also makes them an ideal family dog. I joined the American Kennel Club and made connections with Brittany enthusiasts all over the United States. Some enthusiasts engaged in responsible breeding of Brittanys and talked about promulgating the special traits unique to this breed. Fascinated by the history of the Brittany and the inherited traits that breeders and owners covet, I asked these dog experts questions, and they offered breeding advice. 

After further exploration, I spoke with my family about breeding our own (unrelated) dogs. During COVID, my mother, brother, and I researched and created a breeding plan where someone was always home to assist Lacey to whelp and raise her puppies safely. Since a pregnant female only has about 65 days from conception to birth, and it takes about three weeks to confirm pregnancy, not much time is left for the breeder to prepare for whelping. Our veterinarian told us specific times that the mother and babies would need examination, and shared the basics on birthing. Nothing could prepare us, however, for the real experience. During our first time whelping, we were up for 8 hours one night helping Lacey birth nine puppies. It was nerve-wracking to make sure the newborns were breathing. The process was messy, and we had our mom help to make sure that Lacey wasn’t showing any signs of labor complications. The work only increased. As the puppies grew, we learned to create a homemade baby food for dogs. Nine growing puppies (not yet potty-trained) create a lot of mess to be cleaned. My brother and I took turns during breaks from our virtual classes to clean, feed, provide fresh water, and take care of Lacey. This experience has provided me with hands-on experience, sharing of responsibilities, and especially the transforming and gratifying ability to hand-raise a total of sixteen loving animals from birth to adoption. We pour through applications in order to find the right family match for our dogs. We created a non-profit organization, Brandywine Brittany Spaniel Dogs, to connect with Brittany enthusiasts from all over the United States during the pandemic.

So where does driving come into the story?

I had to learn to drive my dogs and puppies around for veterinarian appointments. I was initially very afraid. There is nothing more nerve wracking than carrying a nervous mama dog in the car as she frets over her puppies. I devised a special container with padding for the puppies, and made a special harness seatbelt in the back seat so that mama Lacey could be seated next to her babies safely.

Driving my animals around has taught me patience, vigilance on the road, and the importance of not being a distracted driver. I have to drive at the speed limit and sometimes slower. I don’t cut corners or take fast turns, and I heed all traffic lights and signs. I also learned to take it slower than normal on the road, to avoid puppy motion sickness! I don’t text or talk on the phone when I drive the dogs, but they enjoy listening to classical music in the car.

Now my Brittanys love to ride in the car and they are the first to hop in and situate themselves to get buckled-up and enjoy the (safe) ride. Even though my dogs are in the backseat, they are my front-row priority. My safe driving ensures that my precious cargo gets from point A to B but also allows us to enjoy the ride together along the way.