Hi

What a day I have had. Went out this afternoon taking kids and dog with us in the car. Hubby was driving. We were actually going to see a puppy. Anyway half way there the car breaks down so hubby calls the break down guys. We are with Kwick Fit they sent someone out with in the hour. Seemed like for ever especailly when you have 2  kids and a dog in the blazing son. Mechanic comes and the car is not repairable so he takes us to the nearest service station were another break down truck is waiting to take us home. Car on back of truck all four of us plus dog in the cab.

The next break down puts the car on the back and just before he finishes tells us to put the dog in the car. I say no she is travelling in the cab with us. No way he says not company policy. No way am i leaving her in the car. She has a real problem being left especially since the other dog died. One reason we took her with us. It was so hot to. Anyway we argued that there was no way she was being left in the car alone. It did get quite nasty and the guy was about to take the car back of the truk on leave us. Hubby was on the phone to kwick Fit complaining. We had told them we had the dog so not like it was a suprise. The pickup guy says that he cannot take her incase his next client has a dog allergy or asthma. The cab would have to be valleted before being used again.

We stood out ground. We have lost one dog and there was no way we were prepared to loose another one within the fortnight. I really do believe she would of got her self so worked up she would of over heated even with the windows open.

Anyway it was finally resolved by someone suggesting that someone travelled in the car with her. Great. hubby did that on the back of the truck and I went with the kids in the cab. No problems Dog was happy and calm. hubby was green by time we got home and we were really suffering with the heat so hate to think what condition she would of been in.

Anyone had this problem before and do you know what the policy is. We are just lucky it happend on the way to see the pup and not on the way home when we could of had a extra addition to the family.

Bye the way we are talking tiny little jack russel. I would of under stood if it was the GSD

Wendy

Unfortunately this is common practice. :( Just as many taxi companies won't allow animals in their cabs, breakdown vehicles are under no obligation to take animals in the cabs either. I've had to leave my dog in the broken-down car before now, being towed at an angle, if I wanted to be taken back.

We had to use a breakdown service a while back and they stated too that it was company policy not to allow dogs in the cab and suggested that one of us stay in the car with the dog.

Hi

It would of been so much easier if they had said in the first place she couldnt come in the cab and someone would have to travell in the car with her. For a start would of saved my two kids standing in the sun with no shade for 20 mins while we argued. the min it was suggested we all said yes quite happily and within minutes we were on the road home. It didnt ocure to us to suggest it as i assumed they wouldnt agree because of insurance ect.

I was even prepared to send family home and find alternative transport for me and my hairy friend.

I just knew there was no way she could of stayed in the car alone. If she was loose she would of been jumping around getting her self worked up. Either that we would of had to tie her and no way was we doing that when we couldnt see her.  When we are all in the car she settles in the back no problem.

At least we know for next time

Wendy

It al does depend on the driver.  if he doesn't want dogs in his cab thats fine.  what if it's the driver who has an allergy? Or has a huge fear of dogs?

We were lucky when we broke down without question the bloke said the dogs can go in too and helped us lift them in despite Moya barking crazy at the strange man in the dark with a huge truck and flashing lights!!!!!  (infact he then came to see the other two when he got us home as he was so nice we offerd him a cup of tea!!!!) 

I know we were lucky and next time (hopefully there won't be a next time!) we might have to leave the dogs :(