Soft Landings, Smooth Rides

What’s Wrong With Your Dog?

There’s nothing like a dog in the backseat, head out the window, ears flapping like a windsock, living their best life. Until hour two hits. Then it’s drool, whining, and that moment when your dog stares directly into your soul like, “Why have you done this to me?”

For your next heading out excursion, here’s how to keep your dog calm, happy, and preferably not trying to climb into the front seat while you’re merging.

Walk them. Run them. Let them sniff every mailbox in the neighborhood. A tired dog is a good passenger. Ideally, aim for a 30-45 minute walk before you buckle them in - bonus points for a game of fetch that drains the zoomies.

Dogs love den-like spaces. Bring a familiar crate, booster seat, or bed, ideally one that smells like home (not like the vet’s waiting room). Even a favorite blanket can lower stress faster than you saying “We’re almost there” for the 12th time (yeah, that doesn’t work for me either).

Lightly mist a towel with dog-safe lavender spray, then tuck it near your dog’s crate or seat. It’s like spa day meets road trip. Lavender has been shown to reduce anxiety in dogs, but keep it subtle - you’re calming them, not marinating them.

Freeze a lick mat or KONG stuffed with soft food the night before. It thaws gradually, offering hours of distraction without sugar highs. Skip hard biscuits that get inhaled in 0.7 seconds and lead to the infamous "I ate too fast in a moving vehicle" regret face.

Dogs love a good head-out-the-window moment - but constant air blasting in their face can overstimulate or dry out their eyes. Try rolling the window halfway or cracking it just enough for scent enrichment without the full-blown tornado.

Look for dog-friendly rest areas, trails, or parks en route Let them stretch, sniff, and pee on something other than your car mat. My dog shakes when he has to go, so watch for that sign too.

Doggy seatbelts, harnesses, or travel crates keep your pup safe and prevent the “launch forward on every stop sign” scenario. Pro tip: some dogs get motion sickness from watching the road, so angling their crate sideways can help.

It’s sweet that you want to keep them company with your “Oh look, a cow!” commentary but honestly some dogs just want peace and the occasional cheese stick. Bon voyage!

Down to the penny: Mysterious and intriguing
Perspective: I could rationalize using this
Sign here: Is that a condo or just half a house

Environment

Picking an outdoor rug is like dating: some are hot, some are soft, some look great but can’t handle a little rain. Which one suits your needs? Let’s meet the candidates.

The workhorse.
Pros: Water, mold, and UV-resistant. Cheap. Cleans like a champ.
Cons: Feels rough and gets hot in direct sun.
Vibe: “I’m not fancy, but I show up.”
Best for: High-traffic, splash-prone spaces.

The colorful friend who’s not great in a crisis.
Pros: Holds bold patterns, dries quickly.
Cons: Fades in strong sun, wears fast. Also gets toasty.
Best for: Style over stamina. Shady patios.

The athlete.
Pros: Tough, springy, handles lots of feet.
Cons: Fades in sun, can trap heat like a drama queen.
Best for: Covered porches with energy.

The cottagecore dream.
Pros: Textured, pretty, eco-chic.
Cons: Hates water. Molds faster than cheese.
Bonus: Stays cool underfoot - if it stays dry.
Best for: Covered patios, sunrooms, dry climates.

The crunchy multitasker.
Pros: Soft, sustainable, fade + moisture resistant. Cooler than synthetics.
Cons: Pricey. Can flatten.
Best for: Stylish spaces with a green conscience.

Barefoot sun lovers, beware: synthetics like polypropylene and nylon may roast your soles by noon. Want easy cleanup? Stick with polypropylene. Want to save the planet and your toes? PET’s your pal. Love a natural look? Jute’s a vibe - just don’t let it rain on your aesthetic.

Remember: Rugs don’t need to be high-maintenance. That’s your houseplants’ job.

Meet Sugar

The Fido Fly community is fabulous - you really are the best people. This week, Charmaine introduces us to her adorable dog Sugar.

“Sugar was adopted from a shelter in Central Florida by a lovely older couple who were missing their previous dog. The wife was not sure about another dog, but the husband had been mourning for a couple of years. They contacted all the local shelters and finally adopted Sugar. 

We’re not sure of her story, but it appears she was around 3 years and may have been used for breeding. The older couple paid for a private trainer hoping they could learn to handle her high energy. We fell in love with Sugar as soon as we met her on our walks! Even our senior dog - Doug - loved her. 

Unfortunately, despite the training, Sugar is still very reactive to lizards, birds and especially squirrels. 🐿️ On a walk, she unexpectedly went for a squirrel, and pulled her former dad down - severely injured his shoulder and arm. His wife sadly said that Sugar needed to find a new home. 

Once we heard, we asked if we could take her for the weekend to see if she would fit in with Doug. They played and snuggled like they’d been together forever!

After a brief conversation the shelter transferred ownership to us. They were very grateful we stepped up, as they were full and could not have taken her back.

It’s been a year since we adopted her, and we are a happy family! Sugar is a funny, cuddly dog who brings all of us joy every day! She also gets to see her former family on walks, so everyone is grateful!”

-Charmaine

Chuckle

The fib is C. Rolling down the window improves airflow but can increase fatigue on long drives due to wind noise and temperature changes. 

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