Why Our Dog Has a Sleepypod Car Seat

Maybe we’re just anxious first-time pup parents, but learning that the cute pet car seats we’d been eyeing did not meet crash safety standards made us really concerned about keeping a little dog safe in our car.

Sleepypod

The solution we found was the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed. It has a smart, safe, multi-functional design that allows small dogs and cats to use it as a car seat, bed, and/or carrier.

Crash Course on Safety

The U.S. doesn’t regulate pet seats like kids’ car seats. Companies can make claims about safety that don’t necessarily hold up. I was shocked to learn how often harness buckles, pet seat straps, and other restraining devices break during the impact of a collision.

When I was looking into this, I found the Center for Pet Safety, a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that tests the safety of pet products. They actually put dog travel carriers through the same crash tests as child seats — complete with dog crash dummies! (They do not use any actual live animals in their tests.)

While the Center for Pet Safety does not endorse specific items, they do provide a list of products that have passed their tests and met their standards.

It’s a surprisingly short list.

In fact, Sleepypod was one of only a couple brands of pet travel carriers that made the cut to be CPS Certified.

Our Experience

Because of all this, I was really interested in the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed. I reached out to the company, and they sent me one I could see firsthand and use for the dog we’d be adopting.

So, when we went to the shelter and ended up bringing home Quijote, the Sleepypod was already in the car. Here’s how it’s worked out since then.

As a Car Seat…

The main way we use our Sleepypod is as a car seat. It buckles into a seatbelt with a shoulder strap with hook-and-loop straps to secure it in place.

It took awhile for Quijote to get used to being inside his Sleepypod. I imagine most dogs would hop right in, but Q is just inexplicably hesitant about certain things. So we took some time to let him explore it at his own pace, and then had lots of “practice” sessions where he’d get treats for being in the Sleepypod.

Now we use it all the time, whether we’re traveling around town or going on a longer trip. It’s how Quijote rode to San Diego!

As a Bed…

The bed part is the round base of the carrier – minus its dome top, which completely zips off.

The inside of the bed/car seat base is lined with what the company refers to as “Ultra Plush bedding.” I assumed that “ultra plush” was just a marketing exaggeration, until I actually felt it. They weren’t wrong – it is super soft. It’s also washable. You can unzip it, take it out, and throw it in the washer. (I have. It worked great!)

We used this as a bed for Quijote when we first adopted him. (We later gave in and let him sleep in our bed.) (I know, I know…)

It’s still nice when we’re in an unfamiliar place to give him his own little spot to hang out in.

As a Carrier…

There’s a handle on the dome top, as well as a removable shoulder strap, if you want to use it to carry your pet outside of the car.

This would work best for calmer cats and dogs. Quijote does not sit still in there, which makes it a bit awkward to carry him that way.

However, it’s nice to have the option, and sometimes it’s worth dealing with him shifting around.

For Quijote’s first vet appointment, I brought him inside the carrier (with the top on), because I wasn’t sure if the waiting room would be full of other animals, and I didn’t want him chasing after anyone.

Also, to take pets on the light rail or bus here in the Phoenix area, they have to be in enclosed containers held on your lap. I haven’t tried it yet, but that’s how Quijote would ride the train.

Final Thoughts

Because it’s enclosed, riding in the Sleepypod won’t give your dog as good of a view out the window, but it will offer protection in case of a sudden stop or collision. The top is mostly mesh, so there’s plenty of air flow, and the inside is padded, so it should be a pretty comfy place to ride.

Although, honestly, I think Quijote would prefer to be driving.

–More Sleepypod Info–

Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed – Medium features:

Pet size: For dogs and cats up to 15 lbs.
Product size: 17 inch diameter by 13.5 inches high (including dome top)
Colors: Sky Blue (what we have), Robin Egg Blue, Blossom Pink, Strawberry Red, Dark Chocolate, Jet Black
Not sized to fit under an airline seat. Sleepypod carriers that are include the Mini Mobile Pet Bed, Atom, and Air (see below).

Safety specs:

Heavy duty hook-and-loop seatbelt straps keep it in place on your seat.
Secure mesh dome, allows air flow while keeping your pet inside.
Designed to improve pet passenger safety by restricting harmful movement in the event of a sudden vehicle stop or frontal collision.

Other Sleepypod products (all CPS Certified):

Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed – Mini — Recommended for pets 7 pounds or less, the 13 x 11 inch carrier fits beneath many airline seats.
Sleepypod Air — Flexible design contracts to fit under airline seats. Meets TSA requirements.
Sleepypod Atom — Streamlined, smaller-size carrier.
Click-It Safety Harnesses — For dogs 18-90 pounds. Can be used as a car restraint and with a leash for walks.
Compare Sleepypod carriers and harnesses.

I received a Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed from the manufacturer without charge in exchange for my honest review.

October 20, 2016

Gilligan’s Post-Apocalyptic Island

You may think the 1960s television show Gilligan’s Island is simply the tale of a 3-hour tour gone terribly awry, indefinitely stranding its passengers on a deserted island where hijinks, visits from goofy guest stars, and thwarted rescue attempts ensue. But it may have actually been a metaphor for restarting after the annihilation of civilization.

I know. Mind. Blown.

The Gilligan Manifesto, a documentary debuting at LA Femme International Film Festival this weekend, takes a fresh look at the slapsticky sitcom that went into production the year after the Cuban Missile Crisis. I was able to preview the film, which places Gilligan’s Island in its Cold War context and aims to reveal the critiques of democracy and capitalism behind its farcical facade.

Originally confined to text in an article in Americana: The Journal of American Popular Culture, writer and director Cevin Soling translated his ideas to film, taking advantage of the audio-visual medium with groovy novelty songs, original animation, quick cuts of Cold War era footage, and scenes from the show itself. By the time the opening titles appear, you’ve already seen a depressing number of mushroom clouds and atomic infernos exploding in sync with disturbingly upbeat tunes like “Love That Bomb.”

There are also interviews with creator Sherwood Schwartz, cast members Dawn Wells (“Mary Ann”) and Russell Johnson (“The Professor”), and (actual) Harvard professors of history and literature.

After an animation introduces the characters and illustrates the parallel between the island castaways and survivors emerging from a fallout shelter, the film examines the society they create, positing that it more closely resembles a “true” (non-dictatorial) communist system than a democratic/capitalist one.

While a few points are belabored and others left hanging, the film does raise some interesting questions.

Do societal structures, such as class divides, persist when society itself is gone? What about titles such as “professor,” “millionaire,” or “movie star”? Can a person lead without being corrupted by power? What’s the best way to distribute resources? Is Gilligan the ultimate proletariat-hero? Do the castaways even want to be rescued?

The Gilligan Manifesto gave me a lot to mull over. And it’s definitely changed the way I look at the show and its character archetypes.

– Film Info –

The Gilligan Manifesto is a feature documentary by Spectacle Films, Inc.

Debut: LA Femme International Film Festival

October 22, 6pm at Laemmle Theater (Music Hall) in Beverly Hills.
Festival tickets available online or on-site.
Discount for Single Film Screening Ticket with password “special.”

Information on additional screenings/viewing options was not available.

Photos via The Gilligan Manifesto.

October 7, 2016October 7, 2016

NoRayz Sunglasses Review

Driving towards California with the late afternoon sun dipping just below the car’s visor, I found myself reaching up to my face to make sure my sunglasses were on. More than once.

They were. It just didn’t seem like it.

Sunset in Indio

I was wearing inexpensive (but cute!) Target sunglasses, and the glare seemed to cut right through the lenses.

I thought about the NoRayz sunglasses that were en route to my mailbox and wished I could’ve brought them. NoRayz is a new eyewear company that makes performance sunglasses, and I had a hunch they’d be better at blocking the sun than what I was wearing.

They were.

NoRayz

Once I got back and tried them out, I realized just how much they would’ve helped. They fit comfortably snug on your face and block the sun without obscuring your vision.

NoRayz

They’re effective and sturdy enough to wear during hiking, running, skiing, or driving directly into the sunset. The top portion is shaded to further reduce glare.

NoRayz

Phillip tried both pairs, as well. He expected to prefer the smaller frames (“Sedona”), but once he tried them on, he liked the fuller coverage of the “Yuma” pair much better.

NoRayz

While I thought they looked great on Phillip, they’re not a style I’d just wear around. However, the next time I’m going on a long drive (or a hike), they’re definitely coming with me.

I asked the technically-minded Marty to check them out, as well. So I’ll wrap up with his analysis.

Marty’s take:

NoRayz sunglasses come in two sizes. Since I have kind of a large head and I like a lot of coverage from the sun, the larger pair were my first choice.

They are robust looking with a 1 3/8″ hinge arm area tapering down to just under 1/2″ at the ear pad.

The other feature that is very noticeable is the top quarter of the lens area is blacked out, like a built-in visor. I tested this feature while driving west about sundown and found that it worked pretty well.

The glasses came with a soft cloth bag that doubled as a lens cleaner. Nice, but other brands in this class typically also include a hard case with a clip or MOLLE gear attachment point.

The optics were good as was the overall workmanship. They were very comfortable for the 3-hour drive. I like that they are handcrafted in the USA.

Nice sunglasses for outdoor sports, biking, or riding a quad. They reminded me of the mountaineer-style glasses equipped with side shields.

NoRayz

Protection: Lenses are polarized to block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, including glare from reflections.
Rating: ANSI rated at z80.3-2015
Material: Lenses are polycarbonate and frames are polycarbonate resin.
Price: $150.

We received 2 pair of NoRayz sunglasses to review.

April 28, 2016April 25, 2016

Chalkola Markers Review

I’m not that into chalk. It gets all over your fingers and dark clothing and erasing it makes you sneeze.

So when Chalkola contacted me about doing a review on markers that made to be a less-messy alternative to chalk, I was interested.

They sent me a pack of 10 Chalkola markers in neon colors (plus white, brown, and black) made to draw on chalkboards and other non-porous surfaces.

How They Write

The first time you use each marker, you need to shake it for awhile (they recommend 60 seconds, but I tried shorter times and that also worked), and then press up and down on scrap paper until you can see the ink. (You could actually do this on any surface you’re going to write on but there can be a little splattering when the ink first comes out.) You don’t need to repeat the whole shaking/pressing ritual after the first time.

I picked up the mail with my new markers on the way to a coffee shop and started doodling on paper I had with me. Not erasable, obviously, but they look great on paper. The ink seems to sit on top of it, rather than being absorbed like regular marker ink, so the colors even stand out brilliantly on dark backgrounds. They are much more vibrant and less smudgy than chalk.

How They Wipe Off

Using a wet cloth or paper towel, I was able to wipe the ink off most surfaces I tested. Some colors just required more elbow grease than others.

Oddly, it didn’t completely wipe off plastic film covering the acrylic I used in my gift guide video (so I just removed it and wrote directly on the acrylic instead – that wiped off perfectly). It didn’t work great with the chalkboard label I tried, but since actual chalk didn’t come off very well either, I think the issue is actually with the label.

Like with anything, you’ll want to test a small, inconspicuous corner before going crazy on a larger area.

The One that Didn’t Work

The record scratch moment came after I realized there were two markers I hadn’t used yet in my testing. When I shook the black marker to get it ready to use the first time, it sounded (and felt) a little different, like something was stuck maybe, and the ink never came out. I tried the last marker, the orange one, and had no problem. But I was never able to get the ink going on the black marker.

I looked at other online reviews, and this doesn’t seem to be a common problem with Chalkola markers, so maybe it was just a fluke. You can make a quality product and still have something go wrong with a single item.

Odds are you won’t have an issue. If you do, the markers are fulfilled by Amazon, so you should be able to make an exchange through Amazon.

Project Ideas

Here are some ideas I came up with for these wet-erase chalk markers.

Labeling:

Ditch the Solo cups, and use real glasses/mugs for parties and allow guests to write their names on them.
Blank travel-size bottles. (Shampoo, moisturizer, etc.) – The color may run a bit if used in the shower.
Containers of leftovers.
Jars of baking and spice mixes.
Dishes you bring to potlucks – You can write what the food is (along with any dietary notes like vegetarian, gluten free, contains nuts, etc.) or just write your name so you get your container back.
Items you’re photographing. I used these markers for my 2015 gift guide video.

Craft:

Decorate and address envelopes.
Add neon color to photos for scrapbooking or collage.
Write on chalkboards or chalkboard-painted things.
Decorate plates for special occasions.

Other:

Write notes or reminders on your mirror.
Write out menus, craft fair price lists, etc.
Mark your route on laminated maps.

If you decide to give Chalkola Markers a try, here’s where to find them and a code for 20% off:

20% off on Amazon when you use code CHALK20A
Amazon USA link
Amazon UK link

—

These markers were provided to me for review by Chalkola.

April 7, 2016April 7, 2016

Hostile Border: A Cross-Genre Film about Crossing the Line

Did I ever tell you about the time Phillip and I walked into Mexico?

On the Border

Okay, before I start the movie review, here’s the short version: We took the trolley from San Diego south to the border, over this elaborate pedestrian bridge with tall metal turnstiles. On the other side was a Mexican soldier with a big gun just kind of hanging out there, not checking anyone’s papers or even making eye contact. We stepped off the bridge into a super sketchy part of Tijuana, rolling suitcases bumping along behind us, trying not to get robbed (or worse) while we looked for a bus where there wasn’t any.

I don’t recommend that particular way to see Mexico.

There are some lovely parts of Tijuana, but the border draws danger, making the city swell with the pressure of desperate outsiders.

Over the Line

The film Hostile Border begins, not on the border, but in Illinois, where it plunges you immediately into the world of the ambitious main character, Claudia. Minimal exposition. No flashbacks. It moves quickly and lets you fill in the gaps.

After Claudia’s history of credit card fraud and undocumented status catch up with her, she is deported – through another metal turnstile in a Tijuana port of entry – into Mexico, where she has little connection and even less knowledge of the language.

One thing the film does explain outright is the meaning of its working title, “pocha”, slang for “a Mexican American who can speak little or no Spanish”. It can also refer to something rotten. The first definition definitely applies to Claudia. Whether the second one does is a question posed throughout the film in various ways.

Does committing crime mean you are a criminal? What happens after you cross the line?

Veronica Sixtos’s performance as Claudia is so compelling you don’t miss words during her long stretches of silence, yet she conveys emotion and inner conflict subtly enough to be consistent with the character’s guarded nature.

Hostile Border is about the people who build fences to protect themselves, and the ones who believe crossing them is worth the risk. It pulses between the genres of thriller and western with moments of intensity balanced by scenes with room to reveal the complicated relationships between layered characters.

Inspired in part by conversations with actual deportees, this debut feature film for both director/cinematographer Michael Dwyer and writer/co-director Kaitlin McLaughlin won the 2015 the Audience Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival and a Special Jury Prize for Directing.

Hostile Border opens in select theaters (see list below) and on digital/video on demand platforms April 15. You can preorder it on iTunes now.

Theaters:

Arizona

Cinema Latino (Phoenix)
Harkins Theatres Spectrum 18 (Tucson)

California

Laemmle Noho 7 (LA)
Media Arts Center (San Diego)

Colorado

Sie Film Center (Denver)

Illinois

Gene Siskel Film Center (Chicago)

Texas

Cinema Latino (Pasadena)

—
Images and preview courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.