What happens when your car hits a big pothole on the highway? Last week on the way to nose work class, Mom, Bailie, and Madison found out. They did miss most of their class too, which was another bummer.
It has been many years since Mom had any car trouble or an accident, but she figured she was prepared if something should ever happen. We drive a lot, and it is often with Mom transporting one, two, or all three of us girls. Until last Thursday, Mom never really thought about how having dogs would change a car incident.
Rolling along a crowded highway at about 60 mph, Mom switched to the right lane to take the exit, but as she saw the big pothole, it was too late to avoid it. There was a huge thud, and then her brain started to race. The car was still driving, so she decided to take their exit in 3/4 of a mile because she didn’t want to stop on the highway with Bailie and Madison in the car. Several other cars had hit the same pothole, and were pulled over on the highway. Mom ended up driving about 1 1/2 miles to, luckily, a VW dealer. The last part of the drive was scary because the car was so loud, and shaking like crazy. My sisters seemed perplexed, not really scared. Mom just wanted to get to a spot where it would be safe for Bailie and Madison to get out of the car. By driving so far, she realized it may actually damage the car more, but it was worth it to keep everyone safe. When she got out, there were two flat, shredded tires on the passenger side.
Everyone was shaken and Mom was worried about how much damage there would be. After talking to the service department guy, it was decided to get a rental, and they would repair the car in the morning. Trying to get a rental with dogs is not easy. Mom learned it is a good thing we have our 4 KNines seat cover. Because the seat cover could be moved to the rental, and my sisters could be strapped in with their seat belts, the rental company allowed Mom to have a car, even with two dogs.
We also have a storage spot in the back of the car where Mom keeps a muzzle, several leashes in different lengths, and dog waste bags. This also came in handy for switching my sisters to the rental car. The muzzle is in case one of us gets scared or injured, and tries to bite out of fear, but that wasn’t needed, but short leashes were a good thing.
This Thursday, we are thankful no one was hurt. The only damage to the car was two tires. Rims have some scratches, but are not ruined. We are also thankful for the people that went out of their way to help Mom and my sisters out. They did get to class for the last ten minutes, and are thankful they each got to do one nose work search. Doing nose work helped to calm down my mom, and my sisters as they had something else to focus on for a few minutes.
What Mom learned is that an incident with your dogs in the car changes things a lot. You need to be prepared, and you have to think about the safety of your dogs. Thankfully she got off the highway, and into a parking lot. No one wants a scared dog to get out of a vehicle on a highway, if it can be avoided. Make sure you have what you might need to get a rental car if you are traveling with your dogs.
Potholes are a big part of spring in Minnesota, but Mom has never experienced one like this. Hopefully it won’t ever happen again!
We are joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Holy cow Emma! We are impressed with your mom. She handled all of that so well. And sounds like the wild sisters were pretty good too. You’re right, there is a lot to be grateful for in that situation! Great post. Have a good day, your doodle friend Dash
Thankfully, we have all been riding in the car since about day one and are never scared of the car. It could have been much worse.
I’m glad no one was hurt. You were lucky that there wasn’t more damage to your car. If my car is drivable, I always get off the highway. I’ll have to make sure to prepare for an emergency when I have my dog with me, too.
It could have tossed the car into the cars, or broken something on the car that was major, but they were lucky. Mom would have stopped almost immediately if she was alone to prevent further car damage, but she wanted to be away from the highway with my sisters.
Oh my goodness, that had to be so scary but we’re sure thankful that nobody was hurt. Years ago the Mom hit a pothole that was so big she had to get a wrecker to tow her out of it. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Wow! That sounds really huge! They can be quite a danger, especially this time of year around here.
The girls and I are thankful that your Mom, Bailie, and Madison were not hurt! Your Mom is soooo smart having all those “just in case” things in her car! Glad the car’s only damage was the shredded tires and slightly scratched rims.
Mom was really afraid there was major damage, but having never driven with two flats on the same side before, who knew? One needs to be prepared and think immediately.
Your Mom handled that so well, Emma, and we’re glad it all turned out OK! We get a lot of potholes around here too, but not so much on the highways. They are far easier to avoid on the side roads.
That is something so many people probably don’t think about, but it was great that your Mom had what she needed for supplies, along with the presence of mind to get off the highway.
Mom has been hitting potholes on all kinds of roadways her entire life, but this one was big. Nothing she ever thought about even though the news has said there are a lot of cars with pothole damage this year.
That is really scary. So happy everyone was safe. Great advice.
Mom had her panties tied in a knot until later that night over the whole thing. It was a good learning experience.
Oh my goodness, that’s not good. I’m glad everyone was ok, but good grief. You guys must have some serious potholes!
We always do have a lot of them, but this year is really bad with all the freezing and thawing. Some are really huge as we found out.
we agree with your mama, that can become a hard lesson we have to learn. the car of my grampy was smashed once by a blind ole bat and the insurance couldn’t find a rental car what accepts fourlegged passengers… the guy who brought the pour car-cass to the pink poney ranch fortunately had a heart and my grampy and the WHFT drove home with the car-cass truck….
It’s tough to rent a car if you have a dog on a regular day, but in an emergency, it is really the last problem a human needs.
Hari OM
OMD – the key thing is EVERY WAS OKAY… phew… There was a situation not long ago when I was driving from West to East along our main motorway when I got jammed by a truck on one side and in-coming traffic on the other – I couldn’t swerve safely to avoid the pothole ahead of me and golly did it thump… my heart was pounding waiting to feel if there were consequences. Thank goodness no, but I kind get how you mama must have been feeling!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
This time of year, they are everywhere here, and we often hit them, but not such big ones. Scary stuff. Glad you didn’t have any damage.
That must have been terrifying for Mom and your sisters, and I’m so glad Mom remained calm and was able to figure out the safety requirements for the situation.
When I had my accident, I remember being grateful I didn’t have the dogs with me, as I was on a highway during rush hour, and it was raining. Thankfully, the rental car company I used said it was okay for the dogs to be in the car, as long as I put a sheet down. I think having a rental car company that allows pets is something every pet owner would want to know, just like hotels that accept pets.
Thanks for sharing the story, I remember seeing the photos on FB and bits of the story.
Having an incident with dogs really changes things. It was a good learning experience that will hopefully not need to be used in the future. At the time, you don’t have the desire to start calling car companies to ask if you can have a dog either.
That had to be TERRIFYING! Thank goodness you were able to think the way that you did! And most importantly, thank goodness ALL of you are safe! So happy only two tires were ruined, thank God!! We have huge pot holes here in Michigan too (which is yet another reason I don’t drive on the highway)………so many people are having their cars ruined or worse. I am glad that you are all safe!
It was really a mess and Mom was sure more things were broken, but she got lucky. We have to be on the highway as we drive all over for stuff, but believe me, Mom has her eyes really open for potholes now!
WOW!!! Visions of Spring 2016!!! Brand new van was totaled at night in Tennessee by guy with no headlights,no driver’s license, no English. Lots of angels all around us that weekend. Chablis was smashed in his crate (managed to get him out the crate’s SIDE door), Elbe refused to get back in a car (he was just a puppy). His crate was damaged, but usable – except the only loaner car they would give us was a sedan which did not hold even half of our gear. I had a major concussion – which I refused treatment for until we got back to St. Louis – because we were already 1/2 day behind schedule for the Shows and I had pain killers Nancy McLean and her daughter went out and bought us a whole metal box of goodies for the dogs; and soothing lotions and bath soaks for me and my co-pilot, Nancy Schumacher to have for the weekend – what a WONDERFUL an much needed gift THAT was! (Still being treated for remnants of that concussion.) SO HAPPY for The girls and your MOM, Emma!!!
No one wants an accident. We remember yours and that was really awful! We were lucky, but it was a reminder to us to be prepared just in case.
We are so thankful that it was not much worse. It is a plus that your sisters are so well-trained. I always thought Louisiana had the worst potholes but it sounds like Minnesota is running a close race!
We are seriously known for potholes because of all the freezing and thawing, it ruins the roads.
We are so very happy everyone is safe and sound! Because Mama likes to travel with us, she always tries to make sure we have everything we need in case of an emergency…but it is her biggest fear to be stuck on the side of a freeway with us.
Darn potholes!
xoxo,
Rosy, Arty & Jakey
Mom never thought too much about it. She thought she was prepared, but it was a scary experience. Potholes are very naughty!
That’s especially scary when it happens on a highway. Your mom handled the situation very well and I’m glad no one was hurt and there wasn’t more damage than two tires. Have a happy weekend!
It was pretty scary, thankfully the exit was not far away, and the car was able to make it to a safe place.
Oh gosh, sorry to hear about your pothole experience. Thanks for pointing out the ‘impawtance’ of always being prepared. Glad everyone is safe and sound.
It was scary, but in the end it all worked out and damages were not as bad as expected, thankfully.
I’m glad everyone was ok! Having dogs does make your approach to everything a little different. I’m glad that your sisters got to calm down with a couple searches, too!
Mainly, I think it calmed Mom down. My sisters weren’t very upset, just Mom.
That must have been so scary for your mom especially! It sounds like she was prepared and handled it really well. I’m glad everyone (except the tires) are okay!
It could have been much worse. Mom and my sisters were lucky.
Yikes – that could have been really bad. Grateful that no one was injured.
It was a scary experience for all, but it turned out alright after getting two new tires.