DOC's Auto Pet Product Reviews

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Lady - Golden Retriver
Rochester, New York Doc - Yellow Lab
Phoenix, Arizona
Slim - English Bulldog
Phoenix, Arizona

2010 Nissan Maxima SV Premium
PUPPY CAMPING IN STYLE
By: Melanie Droz

Since summer temperatures have arrived in Phoenix, it is finally time for the camping season to begin. Our first camping trip kicked off near Payson at the Houston Mesa campgrounds. Slim (my English Bulldog puppy) and I made the 90-mile drive in the 2010 Nissan Maxima SV, which was conducive to the hot and cold weather.

While leaving Phoenix, I kept the rear window sunshade up to block the sun from beaming in on Slim in the backseat. After all, English Bulldogs are extremely susceptible to heat stroke. I also pointed the rear-seat air conditioning in Slim’s face as he panted from the walk from our front door to the car.

In order to protect myself from the heat, I kept the dual sun visors with extenders down and the cooled climate-controlled driver’s seat on. In addition to that, it was easy to be “cool” in the Maxima because of the 2 GB music box and XM satellite radio. Slim and I jammed to campground favorites like O, Susannah and Kum Ba Yah. Okay, so maybe we aren’t that cool.

Once we got close to the destination I had plugged in the Navigation System with 7.0” VGA touch-screen monitor, the temperature had dropped about 20 degrees. I turned off the air conditioning and opened the dual panel moonroof with power retractable sunshades. I also put down the rear door windows with one-touch auto-up/down so Slim could stick his head out the window and enjoy the fresh, pine air. He loved it.

The first night sleeping in our tent wasn’t the serene experience we were hoping for. The temperature had dropped another 20 degrees and despite Slim trying to keep me warm by curling up by my side, we were freezing. Luckily, we had the Maxima to keep us warm.

In the middle of night, Slim and I jumped in the lushleather appointed seats, turned on the heated front seats and let the heated outside mirrors and heated steering wheel keep us toasty. It was not like we were cheating the camping experience, because the Maxima comes with eucalyptus wood-tone trim, which is just like being out in the wilderness

Needless to say, we headed home early. The comfort of the 2010 Nissan Maxima SV was unbeatable, and Slim will attest to that. I put the back seats down in the back to turn the rear-seat trunk pass-through into a bed for Slim; however, he was much happier sleeping on the floor mat in front of the passenger seat.
Even though I was tired as well, I drove comfortable in the $36,640, V-6 engine Maxima using the cruise control most of the way. The best part – I didn’t have to stop for gas even once. With 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, the 2010 Nissan Maxima SV Premium is the perfect car for short camping trips this summe;r especially if you take your puppy with you.

Well it turns out I'm not the only pet that gets to test drive cars with their automotive journalist owners. Meet Loki and Pepper my new boxer friends in Arizona. Their owner is Chris Poole, the Editor-at-Large for Consumer Guide Automotive and the President of the Phoenix Automotive Press Association. These two very attractive boxers came from the Boxer Luv Rescue group. Just like many wonderful animal organizations, Boxer Luv Rescue would appreciate any help you can offer them.

To learn more about this group, go to www.boxerluv.org.
Till next time, Peace Out

Toyota Has Gone to the Dogs
2010 Toyota Rav4
By: Melanie Droz

Numerous trips to Petsmart, potty training, chewing, and appointments at the vet: there are numerous reasons why bringing home a new puppy is difficult. However, the 2010 Toyota Rav4 made the transition a great deal easier the first week we welcomed “Slim,” an English bulldog and our first child, to his new residence.

Picking up the new addition to our family required a 45-minute drive to Mesa, which was made easy with the Rav 4’s 2.5-liter, V6 engine and 22/28 MPG. We were welcomed by 4, 10-week-old English bulldogs begging for someone to take them home. Since we were driving the spacious Rav4, I suggested we pile them all in the compact SUV. Financially, however, we were limited to one, and I was drawn to Slim who was chewing on my watch, ring, shirt and shoe. Perfect!

Starting at $21,500, the 2010 Toyota Rav4, Toyota’s best selling SUV, is a terrific family car, which wasn’t an important feature to me one week ago. However, with our first child, Slim, I have a new appreciation for 10 cup holders and an optional 3rd row seat. Not only are cup holders beneficial for water bottles and soda cans, they sufficiently hold dog toys, puppy treats and leashes. The third row seat is also helpful for keeping the dog hair limited to one row so passengers don’t leave the car covered in fur balls.

Safety is even more important now with a young one traveling in the car. The 2010 Toyota Rav4 comes standard with traction control, antiskid system, hill start assist control and downhill assist control. Since Slim is a bit clumsy in his adolescence, control is crucial. It’s also
helpful to have curtain side airbags and front side airbags, which is another standard feature of the Rav 4.

Another aspect of the Toyota Rav 4 that made Slim’s presence unproblematic was the side-opening rear door with a hold-open feature. Despite what some critics have said, probably those without dogs, I believe its makes lifting a dog crate into the trunk much easier. You don’t have to worry about hitting your head. Another thing I don’t have to worry about with the Rav4 is listening to Slim bark in his crate when we go for a ride. The 6 speakers in the Toyota drown out his puppy yelps.

And, we definitely took Slim for several drives during his first week with his new family. Luckily, the Rav 4 has better fuel economy than its competitor, the Honda CR-V, so we didn’t feel like we were wasting gas showing off Slim to our friends and family. We went to visit his great grandma in Sun City, he went to Paradise Bakery with his grandma, and even tried to play sand volleyball with all of our friends. Overall, Slim had an eventful first week, and so did we. Fortunately, we had the 2010 Toyota Rav 4 to support us.

DOC'S FIRST MODELING JOB
By: Cathy Droz
When Sondra Burwick wanted to start her own dog sitting business, she knew she needed an add and a tag line. She asked if DOC would model for her in his backyard. After we signed the talent release forms, got hair and makeup done, DOC was eager to pose with his friend Cooper.

There is talk of an open house complete with Doctinis and DEM BONZ biscuits for all. Stay tuned for more on Doc's modeling career and Sondra's Dog Gone Good Dog Sitting adventures.

Sondra,the "Dog gone Good Dog Sitter"
602.750.0007 or sondraBurwick@cox.net

Will Doc be Endorsing Maui Jim Sunglasses?
By: Cathy Droz

A WARNING TO DOG and CAT OWNERS...
From: Ask "D"

IT’S A FIVE-DOOR YARIS
SOME DOGS WERE BIGGER THAN THE CAR

"Doc's" friend Peppers ... Listen to what she has to say.
MISS PEPPERS ROGERS SPEAKS OUT

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