Honda Element Says 'Bow Wow Wow Yippie Yo Yippie Yay'

Honda Dog Friendly Element

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Honda today kept things fun in New York, announcing Dog Friendly components fitted to its 2009 Element small SUV. Changes were made to a 2009 Element in order to make it a safer place for you pooch as well as lessening the chances of you colliding with your canine in the cabin.

Honda Dog Friendly Element

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The Dog Friendly™ components were designed specifically for the Element, they say, and "demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners." A production version of the Dog Friendly Element is slated for this fall.

Honda Dog Friendly Element

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Major features of the Dog Friendly Element include:

• a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform
• second row and cargo area pet restraint systems
• an extendable cargo area load-in ramp
• a 12V DC rear ventilation fan
• second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric)
• all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern
• a spill-resistant water bowl
• Dog Friendly exterior emblems

The Element had already been awarded Dogcars.com's "Dog Car of the Year" award in 2007 by virtue of its easy-to-clean urethane floor, flat cargo area, wide-opening side cargo doors, low lift-in height, and ready acceptance of tall items.