To recap, I've been looking for a shade maker for dog agility activities to keep me and my dog cool.  I'm a small person, and I need something easy to handle.  A large canopy is hard to lug around and requires at least two people to put up. 

The Sport Brella is light, easy to carry, and goes up in minutes.  I had some minor problems the first time around. Perhaps I just needed more bonding time with the 'brella. 

The agility trial in Walnut, California was the perfect opportunity.  I didn't really need the shade, since my agility buddy brought her EZ-UP Dome II.  But not ALL of her friends plus dogs could fit, so on Sunday I arrived with the Sport Brella to supplement the EZ-UP.

This time I found the stake that telescopes out of the bottom of the middle rod, something I had missed before, and important element for stabilizing the 'Brella. I also made sure it was well staked down.  Even then, it took just a few minutes to open it up, secure it, and enjoy the shade.

As with any shade cover, a good sense of where the sun will be during the course of the day is helpful.  That will take some practice for me, as my sense of direction isn't entirely adequate. But adjusting the 'Brella is easy, so if it's not positioned perfectly, it's not hard to shift it. 

Turns out, I wasn't the only one there with a Sport Brella!  Set up very close to us was another shade seeker and her dog.  She was kind enough to let me take her picture. I'm only sorry I didn't get her name!  She purchased hers from Sports Authority, and opted for the extended warranty at a cost of $6.

I might have had more success the first time I tried my Brella if I'd had more complete instructions.  There are several ways you can use the Brella, and the telescopying stake wasn't obvious to me. 

Overall, it was a successful outing, so I'm holding on to my Sport Brella. I'll never have to be shadeless again! Now, if I could just Q next time...

• Lots of storage cubbies & shelves
• Carpeted floor in front, vinyl floor in 2nd row & rear cargo area
• Standard AC
• 3 cup holders
• 6-way adjustable driver's seat

• Ford Work Solutions inventory system for keeping track of equipment/"stuff"
• Available Nokia Bluetooth
• Power windows & locks
• Garmin navigation capability
• All sorts of after-market customizable shelving/storage options
• Reverse Sensing System
• Full-function computing w/Internet access
• PATS - Passive Anti-Theft System
• In-dash Windows CE computer w/wireless keyboard & printer
  

• Ample spatial volume
• Wonderful cargo access
• Good gas mileage
• Unencumbered spare tire access
• Height of the vehicle in cargo area
  

• Slightly underpowered
  
• Somewhat hard ride
• Lack of ventilation & AC in cargo area
• Lack of operable second row & rear windows

When I go to agility trials with my agility buddy, we take along her EZ-UP Dome II.  Two of us can get it up in about 5 minutes.  EZ-UP-type canopies are great for making your own shade, but I know few people who can get them up without help.  It’s really a two-person operation. 

So I’ve been on the look-out for an shade alternative, something that is quick and easy to put up, and will provide just enough shade for Cassie and I, for those times when I’m attending events on my own. 

When I spotted the Sport Brella on sale at a local sporting goods store, I got excited.  This video shows how it works.  Just substitute dogs for kids. 

So I grabbed one.  An upcoming agility match would give me the perfect opportunity to try it out.

When I arrived, I opened up the Sport Brella and set it up in just a few minutes. The Sport Brella is quite light and easy to handle, and takes up very little room in the car.   I nestled Cassie’s crate underneath, and still had room for my chair.  Since I’m a short person, I was able to fit underneath the apex in a regular-height chair.  I staked it down at both ends, and decided I’d found the perfect solution in my quest for shade.  I had more than one person admire my “Brella” and ask me where I’d found it.

Ah, but not so fast.  The afternoon was not yet over. 

First, I used fairly poor judgement in selecting a location.  So I had to keep shifting it as the sun moved.  No problem.  I should have been more careful. 

Then a lovely breeze started up.  Hmmm, being that is is an umbrella, it wanted to fly.  So I opened the “windows” in hopes that would help.  But the breeze continued, and the umbrella kept coming unstaked.  No problem, I thought.  Next time I would need to use all 5 stakes, not just 2.  This was, I figured, just a learning experience.

But as I packed it up, I realized the fabric had come loose from the small plastic tips holding the Brella together, in three places.  This was more serious, especially considering I’d only used it once.

So sadder, but wiser, back it went to the sporting goods store.  The manager didn’t seem surprised to hear that it had not held together.

The Sport Brella is a great concept.  It does, however, need some minor adjustments to make it sturdier. If the manufacturer makes any improvements in that area, I’d be the first one to try it again, because I really liked my Sport Brella.

So I’m still looking for shade….

The initial generation of the xB was styled after a Japanese model. The second generation was introduced in 2008 and was geared more for the American consumer - a little bit bigger and with a little more power. You can read more about the xB in a previous review we did a few months ago.

The xA only lasted one generation with one body style - a 4 door hatchback.  After the 2004 model introduction, the 2006 did receive a bit of a facelift in its last year of production, but it was essentially the same vehicle with slightly different features.  Unfortunately, we at CarGoDogs.com did not get a chance to measure and review the vehicle before it was discontinued.  It is unlikely that it would fit a large number of big dogs, but we'd love to hear from anyone who uses one for their dog travels.

Onward for Scion... In 2005, Scion came out with a more traditional vehicle, the tC coupe.  It was stylish, yet affordable with many optional features.  The tC seats 5 and has a versatile hatchback trunk but it is not generally what one would use as a dogmobile. You could probably use the fold-down back seat feature to utilize the area for dogs, but it surely would take some ingenuity to customize the space for safe travel.

The removal of the xA made way for the newest model in the Scion lineup: The xD.  Introduced in 2008, this entry level vehicle is typical of all Scions with many standard features including a remote keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise control, airbags, etc. There are oodles of extras to be had either from Scion or other aftermarket companies.  Unfortunately, they're mostly for cosmetics and less for functionality and none of them helps with traveling with our pets.

When we visited the Scion dealership, we were able to look closely at a 2009 xD. The xD has a maximum cargo capacity of 36 cubic feet.  It is bigger than the 26 cu.ft. cargo space of the 2009 Toyota Yaris but this is pretty small compared to the cavernous 2009 Honda Fit at 57 cu.ft, the 2009 Toyota Matrix at 48 cu.ft or the new Kia Soul at 53 cu.ft.  However, the price is also a bit less, with prices starting from $14,650. The xD's standard safety features include antilock brakes, front and full side curtain airbags.  The xD also received an Edmund's award as one of the Top Consumer Rated vehicles in 2008 & 2009, scoring 9.3 on a scale of 1 to 10, so consumers are really enjoying this vehicle.

Some of the positive features of the xD are 60/40 rear seats, a cargo area that folds flat, cargo tie-downs and rear windows that open which would be helpful for ventilation if one were to crate dogs in the car.  Note that there is about a 3" lip at the rear cargo area, so crate doors would need to be elevated above that point to open.  (The Honda Fit also has a "lip" in the cargo area.)

As a dog car, it seems one could make an xD work for small dogs but it probably wouldn't be a first choice for those with medium to large dogs. The Kia Soul, Honda Fit or Toyota Matrix might be better options simply due to the larger cargo space.

According to Reuters, the car will come with a built-in water bowl, fan, and a ramp, as well as easy-wash seat covers.  Sounds lovely, but all of these things can easily be accomodated in any car, so this sounds a little like a gimmick to me.  My definition of a good dog car includes things that can't easily be changed about a car, such as the ability to house large crates, and good ventilation.  The Honda Element already has those things, so the rest is just icing on the crate. 

The Honda web site lists the Dog Friendly Element as a concept car coming in Fall 2009.

In the meantime, if you'd like to have a ramp, dog seatbelt, fan or easy wash seat covers, visit the CarGoDogs Store.  That kind of stuff is out there for cars of just about any size or shape.

See also the CarGoDogs review of the Honda Element.

The Hyundai Entourage is one such casualty.  According to Consumer Reports, Hyundai is dropping the Entourage.

The Kia Sedona is almost identical and will remain on the market for the time being. 

Sponsored by Toyota, you'll have to watch a commercial before getting to the meat of the matter.  Except, well, there's not much meat there, just a few short segments about relatively obvious options, such as cargo barriers and seat covers.  Seat covers?  Jeesh.  Tell us something we don't know! 

We really like our Kia Sedona, and get a much better highway gas mileage (with judicious driving) than than advertised, averaging about 27 mpg. It is an easy, fun and responsive vehicle. The crash ratings and warranty are great too.

The one thing we did have to do, using two 400 varikennels facing the rear, is put one on a 3/4 inch piece of plywood so that the place where the top and bottom parts of the crates join, are one slightly above the other. These crates will not fit if the joints meet each other.

By taking out the two middle bucket seats, we can fit a 3rd crate, possibly a 500- though we have only placed a 400 there. The rearmost bench seat folds down into the floor and it is flat. We had to put the board under one crate to raise it a bit, you can see why. The car has rear air and heat and the rear wing windows open a bit for good air flow. The rear door has a light that comes on when opened.

There is plenty of leg room in the back. I took a cat in a small crate to the vet one day and just bungeed the crate to the folded seat. Another 400 easily fits in the back if the seats are snapped out. Easy to do once you know how and luckily the instruction book is very good.

Here's the front.

Rear with one seat down.

Anya wants to go somewhere!

For more information:

Edmunds.com Review of the 2008 Kia Sedona

Kia Motors - Sedona

I was very taken with this vehicle when I started to car shop around 2006.  The price was reasonable and being from the Toyota family, there was an image of quality and reliability.  It was a hit with the younger set, it's target market, partly due to the ability to customize each vehicle with a myriad of accessories. 

Consumer Reports has this summary of the 2008 remodeled xB: "The redesigned xB is wider and longer. The new 2.4-liter four-cylinder has more power, but worse fuel economy. The ride has improved and handling is responsive. The gauges are still centered on the dash. The rear seat is enormous and the cargo area is large. Visibility is impaired by low windows and thick roof pillars. Curtain air bags and ESC are standard." 

Road test results were good, the vehicle is reported to have good reliability and consumers are very fond of their vehicles.  So, there are a few compromises, but all around, the xB appears to be a good option when looking for your next dogmobile. You won't be able to fit as much as the medium or large size SUV's but as a compact SUV, it's about the best in its class.  For the economical price and functional extras, one can't complain too loudly.

Image via Wikipedia

I saw the Mazda5 for the first time at the 2006 L.A. Auto Show. Parents with kids were crawling all over the thing. Nonetheless, I thought it was a neat looking car with great dog car potential.

But is it really a minivan? FuelEconomy.gov seems to think so; they named Mazda5 the most fuel-efficient minivan, probably classified as such because this small vehicle actually manages to fit in 3 rows of seats.  Mazda, probably in an attempt to dodge the minivan image problem, refers to it as a sport hatch, multi-activity vehicle or, in Europe, a space car.  Consumer Reports categorizes it under "Wagons and Hatchbacks."  Okay, so this little guy has a bit of an identify problem.

At any rate, three rows of seats might impress soccer moms, but they don't impress dog owners.  We're more interested in the dogs per vehicle stats since we're just going fold down those darn seats anyway.  Once you do that in the Mazda5, and the second and third row seat will fold down into the floor, you have a car that looks less like a minivan, and more like, oh, say a Toyota Matrix.   Am I right about that?  Let's compare the stats.

When trying to fit crates into a car, the most critical measurement is the width between the wheel arches.  The Mazda5 measures in at 40.5", the 2008 Matrix at 38.75 and the 2009 Matrix at 40.5.  So in any of these vehicles, you won't be fitting two SUV crates side by side, BUT, there is enough room for a 36" long crate (with a side door) to fit long-ways.

As you might guess in a vehicle that can accommodate 3 rows of seats, the Mazda5 is longer, based on the measurement from the back of the front seat to the back door.   The Mazda5 offers about 10 or 15 extra inches in length, which is nothing to sneeze at. 

If you're considering a riser in the cargo area, the height of the cargo space is quite comparable in both vehicles, though the new 2009 Matrix loses by about 2.5". 

What about cargo space?  Guess what.  Matrix, 53 cubic feet, Mazda5 44 cubic feet.

While the Mazda5 does give you a little more length for your money, it comes at a cost. As you might have guessed, its quite respectable mpg (21/27 (city/highway), lags behind the Matrix's 28/33 mpg.

So there you have it. Compared to a Matrix, it's quite long, though similar in width and height.  Compared to a "real" minivan, it's small all over...in a good way.

I wanted to show you all of the various seat configurations offered in the Mazda5, and felt sure that their web site would illustrate its seating/cargo flexibility....but I would be wrong.  They're so fixated on the fact that it has 3 rows of seats. I couldn't find any pictures without those 3 rows up.  But you can see by the picture we took that the seats do fold flat, though they don't make the lovely solid flat cargo area you can get in some cars.  Maybe that's a good thing...there's more nooks and crannies into which you can stuff extra jackets, towels, kibble, etc.

Here are the STANDARD features:

• Overall measure approx 6' 2" wide x 6' 7" long and 26" tall
• Interior kennel measurments are 36" long x 24" wide x 24" tall ( ideal fit for retriever breeds)
• White aluminum exterior for maximum cooling and attractive appearance
• White aluminum interior for ease of cleaning
• Lift-up rear door with window for added ventilation
• Fully insulated; cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather
• Locking kennel doors (keyed alike) with large adjustable louvered vents, screens and protective grills
• All interior walls between kennels have separated bars allowing for excellent airflow
• Stainless steel floor in all kennels flush with exterior for ease of cleaning
• Rear storage area with shelf on each side
• 12 volt interior dome light in rear
• Third exterior brake light

Here are the ADDITIONAL features:

• Evaporative cooler (needs water pump)
• Gull Wing Style lift up doors
• Water bucket mounts and heavy duty Rubber mats in 2 of the kennels
• Auxilliary battery to run all coach power
• Power box with 3 plug ins for anything that plugs into cigarrette type plug  such as fan, heater, floodlight, car cell phone charger, etc...
• 5 gallon H2O tank for evaporative cooler water supply
• 5 gallon Igloo drinking water cooler
• Wireless thermostat system so you can keep track of temp in box from the cab while you are driving
• LOTS of storage! There is ample room inside back of the dog box to fit an additional 400 crate, blinds, launchers, wheels, x-pens, canopy, gear bags, collapsable crates, luggage, ice chest, etc.
• Includes 2 drawer storage system custom made to fit under the kennels that are full length of the truck bed for all your tournament/training  gear as well as 1 long compartment for bag chairs, long umbrella or other long items

If you're interested in purchasing this item or have further questions, please contact Lisa directly at runamukchs@aol.com.  The DogBox is currently in Ontario, California. 

(CarGoDogs is posting this as a favor only. No monies or other compensation are involved and we offer no warranties, written or implied!)

These days people aren't talking much about large vehicles; the buzz is all about the Honda Fit-type cars and just about anything else that gets better than 30 mpg.  But let's face it, dog people often travel with more dogs than will fit in a Fit.  Sometimes you just have to have more room to get you and your pack from point A to point B.

Enter the Ford Flex.  The Flex doesn't look like any other car out there. It's somewhat reminiscent of an oversize station wagon, and certainly doesn't look like an SUV or a mini-van.  Could it be there's a vehicle out there that doesn't have the social stigma of a minivan, but with a better carbon footprint (relatively speaking) than an Expedition or Navigator?

Since the Flex will be directly compared with both the SUVs and minivans, we wanted to give you two viewpoints.  Kim is more of an SUV-type and wouldn't be caught dead in a mini-van.  I'm a mini-van kind of gal.  I'm a practical person, and I've never worried too much about "image" when it comes to choosing my ride.  So will the desires and needs of both sides of the fence culminate in the Ford Flex? 

Cindy: I had to laugh when I read Dan Neil's rave review of the Ford Flex. When talking about the 83 cubic feet of cargo space he said "it's a pity children aren't cube-shaped."  Our dogs may not be cube-shaped, the the crates we carry them in certainly are, so I figured that boded well for the dog-worthiness of the Flex. Still I can fit two 400 crates behind the second row seats of our Toyota Sienna.  How does the Flex compare?

First stop is the width between the wheel wells, typically the narrowest part of the cargo space in any vehicle.  The Flex measures 40.5".  Say what???  There won't be any 400 crates sitting side by side in that space. Heck, the smallest minivan on the market, the Mazda5, measures the exact same between the wheel wells.  What's that about?   So I'll call it closer to an SUV than a minivan in terms of usable space, since it won't accommodate two side by side crates wider than 20". 

Kim: I know a minivan probably has more cargo space than an SUV, but there is just something so un-sexy about that "Soccer Mom" image. SUV's have a "cool" persona in my mind, and bring out that bit of rebel in all of us with the thought that one could go off-roading if one really wanted to. (Ok, it'll never happen, but it's the idea that counts!) 

Now the Flex is definitely sexy. There are so many cool options and features available with a Flex that one feels a sense of luxury in a utility vehicle. And the cube-shape? Way cool. Still, the 40.5" dimension between the wheel wells is a bit of a bummer. Even the special SUV crates are 21" wide so two won't fit side-by-side. There is ample height to add a riser and fortunately the seats fold flat, but one would need to srategically plan the space. In my mind, if there is a will there is a way and if I were interested in purchasing the Flex, I'd do what I could to fully utilize that cargo space and not let it be a deal-breaker.

Cindy:  My next concern would be safety.  SUV's might be sexy, but they also can struggle to stay upright.  However, in this area, the Ford Flex seems more mini-van-like   Not only did the Ford Flex earn five-star frontal- and side-impact crashworthiness ratings, the highest possible scores, in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests, it also scored four-star rollover ratings for both the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.    

So, let's compare and contrast.  The Toyota Sienna gets a 4-star rollover rating with a 15-16% chance of rollover in a single vehicle crash, and the Ford Flex also gets a 4-star rating with a 16% chance of rollover.  A Ford Explorer, on the other hand has a 23% chance of rollover in a single vehicle crash, and a 3 star rating.  Where it really counts, it looks like the Flex is closer to a mini-van than an SUV.

Kim: I agree that a minivan is probably safer than an SUV, especially the smaller utes like my Mariner.  I'm very careful about not overloading the roof rack and making it even more top-heavy. It is good to know that the Flex has good safety ratings. The standard Reverse Sensing System is also helpful if windows are blocked by crates or gear. I've appreciated having it in my vehicle. The mileage of the Flex is pretty good for a medium-sized SUV (17/24) but I'm spoiled with a hybrid, so it's all relative.

Cindy:  I wish there were a few more ventilation options.  We were quite excited about the "Vista Roof" option, which consists of four skylights covering all three rows of passenger seating.  It's not that we think the dogs want the sun shining on them...but rather, we thought the skylights give us one more way to increase airflow in a closed car.  Unfortunately, only the moonroof over the first row opens.  At least they all come with sun shades!  There's no rear opening window in the hatch, which is a darn shame, and similar to many mini-vans, only the windows at the front and second row seats open.

Kim: I know!!  The flip-up window in the rear of several other Ford SUV's is such a helpful feature, I'm surprised the Flex doesn't offer it. Or at the very least, have the whole Vista Roof open. It's almost a deal-breaker for me, since I end up doing so much crating in the car. Heck, even the Honda Element has a rear moonroof that opens, even if it is only offered as a manual operation. At least the Flex has tinted privacy glass towards the back of the vehicle, which would help a bit with hotter temperatures. There are also several outlet points so one could plug in fans for more ventilation.

I don't know why car manufacturers don't just ask US what we want in a vehicle!? Don't they know that the dog-owning public offers a huge marketing opportunity? True, for most of us, vehicle purchases are few and far between, but all the more reason to give us what we desire and woo us from the competition. 

Cindy: The car manufacturers must assume that since a vehicle is well air conditioned, there's no need for ventilation when it's standing still. But for those of us with dogs, it's a BIG deal if we can't keep the car cool when we need to leave our dogs inside. 

As Kim has already mentioned, tricked out, the Ford Flex can seem downright luxurious.  Among the available options is the refrigerated console.  (Forget the cold drinks.  Since our dogs eat a raw diet, I'm imagining filling it with chicken.)  The many storage spaces could definitely com in handy, too.  Then there's the navigation system, the audio system and the DVD entertainment system.  Okay, so those items aren't dog-related, but the people need to enjoy the ride as well!

Kim: I was able to test drive the Flex and I liked it very much.  I think it is a good possibility as a dog car and as an everyday vehicle for those who really need the room. But I'm still left feeling that a few key features are just a tad lacking to say it's a true dog car. Give me the flip up window in the rear hatch, more width between the wheel wells and a Vista Roof that fully opens. Oh, and let's not forget the keypad entry. That little feature is one of my absolute favorites and has saved me many times with dogs in and out of the vehicle!

Cindy: So there you have it. We both really liked the Flex. But if I was in the market for a new car, I'd probably stick with a minivan, though I can't say I wouldn't be tempted! But judging from Kim's reaction, if you're an SUV-lover who wants a bit better gas mileage, the Flex might be the car for you.

Image via Wikipedia