by Pepper Ballard
If every dog has his day, Sammy's was Thursday.
Before hundreds of journalists and flashing light bulbs, the 'shelter special' dog with bad hips smiled as he demonstrated the ease of the ramps and features of the dog-friendly concept 2009 Honda Element EX at the New York International Auto Show.
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| Cammisa couldn't let Sammy go.© The HSUS |
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Dog-Friendly Drive
The Honda Element EX is the first concept vehicle designed with the comfort and safety of a dog in mind, says James Jenkins, senior product planner for Honda.
Other manufacturers have offered netted barriers and other small features for dogs, but none have matched the level of safety in the concept car's second-row and cargo-area pet restraint systems.
"The Element is already a very dog-friendly vehicle," Jenkins said. "My favorite part of (the concept) is that we can now transport a dog safely. Now, pets are part of the family. Now, more than ever, people are adapting to their dogs."
Sammy's guardian, Heather Cammisa, knows that first-hand. The Humane Society of the United States's manager of spay/neuter initiatives adopted Sammy after fostering him for an animal shelter for several months.
Super Sammy
She calls him her first 'foster failure' because, after resisting the urge to adopt many previous foster animals, Cammisa couldn't let Sammy go: the 2-year-old brindle dog, who is likely a Kai Ken or Akita-mix, had a double femoral head ocstectomy performed to alleviate pain from a traumatic injury suffered as a puppy that was left untreated. Where Sammy's hips were, only scar tissue and muscle remain.
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| Sammy handled the show like a pro.© The HSUS |
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Despite his apparent handicap, Sammy ate up the attention at the event. Posing for photographers with an ear-to-ear grin, Sammy gracefully sat on the ramp—or stayed—lying down inside the cloth crate.
During the press conference, Sammy walked the stage several times over to stroll up the vehicle's rear ramp and duck inside the netted crate while following Cammisa's hand. Afterward, he graciously walked the walk another few times so photographers could get their best shots.
Like a Pro
Several reporters and photographers thought Sammy was a professional and were amazed at how well he performed despite all of the people and the hoopla. Though he's never done this before, Sammy is a certified therapy dog, and photographers quickly picked up on a 'watch me' command that Cammisa uses during therapy. It drew the dog's happy gaze.
Christina Ra, a Honda spokeswoman, said Honda wanted an average dog to showcase the vehicle and reached out to The HSUS. Cammisa, who is based in New Jersey, was happy to help, and was happy to see a shelter dog get the spotlight.
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| The new Honda Element is dog-friendly.© Honda |
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"If he could talk, Sammy would say he loves the ramp and the spill-proof water bowl, and I appreciate that the seats don't hold dog fur and are washable," Cammisa said.
The vehicle's second-row seat covers will come with a dog pattern design that matches the included elevated platform bed. All-season "pet-style" rubber floor mats with engraved toy bones, a 12 DC rear ventilation fan, cargo organizer, tote bag, three Dog Friendly exterior emblems and one custom-engraved dog tag will also be included.
Honda expects the Dog Friendly Honda Element will hit Honda showrooms this fall.
