Riding in Cars with Bela

It became apparent soon after Bela's adoption that we would need a way to get her around.  It became apparent, really, the day we needed to pick her up. They arrange it so that the dogs leaving the shelter have their neutering surgery the morning of. As not all taxis allow dogs, and buses certainly do not --there was no other way to transport her, save our feet and her feet, walking in conjuction down a sidewalk.
This was not a possibility that day, as I knew she would be drugged beyond belief. So I frantically searched for a way to get her home. A 'Dog Taxi' came to the rescue. The genius (or rather, guy with a van) behind this company took my request for a pick-up over the internet, called me to confirm, and showed up at the shelter, waiting for Mike to exit with our new dog.

Soon after, we bought Bela a car.

Now, I had not owned a dog or a car prior to this, so I was a bit out of my comfort zone. But we quickly navigated craigslist, found a 19-year-old white Volvo (I've always loved their boxiness!), and slapped down $1100 for it.

It is as unreliable as they come. It's been towed off the Dan Ryan Expressway from the middle lane --of FIVE -- IN TRAFFIC -- twice. It makes a constant whistling sound. Being whistled at by a person can be annoying. Being whistled at by your car will make you down right uneasy.

The car is almost strictly for Bela-centered activity. We rarely take it out for our own devices or pleasures.
It is for trips to the dog beach, the 44-acre dog park in Lake Forest, city parks outside of walking distance, and destination trips. Where we go, she goes!

She likes to ride with her two backfeet on the backseat, the two front on the center console, and her face in between our faces. She will occasionally rest her chin on Mike's extended right arm. When we reach a speed above 60 miles per hour, she climbs down onto the floor behind the seats, curls into a ball and lets the vibrations lull her to sleep, just like a baby.

Today marks one year of car ownership. The now 20-year-old machine dies roughly every 3 uses, and has no radio or cupholders, but I'll be damned if it hasn't given us some great car rides with B.