Product Test Report:: Every Roving Rover needs a good set of luggage

The legend on the packaging reads, "Have suitcase, will travel." Now all roving Rovers can travel in style, thanks to Dog's Bow Wow(tm) Luggage -- a suitcase for dogs on the go. "Whether you're going across town or on an extended journey, everything your dog needs to have a safe and comfortable trip is included in the luggage," said Voni Sterling Silver, CEO of Dog's Bow Wow.

Silver came up with the idea after traveling with her four pets. "Every time I traveled, it was a real mess with a bag of pet food here, and a bag of treats there. Things like toys and bowls were never where I thought I left them in the car. I figured there had to be a better way to travel with a pet," she recalls.

Silver talked over her ideas with her family. Her grandfather, Herbert Snell, an engineer who worked with Howard Hughes, drew up the design. Her mother, Jeri Silver, and sister, Wendy, joined her in starting a company this year to manufacture the luggage. (They also have one for cats. Look for our review of the Cat's Meow(tm) in an upcoming issue of sister publication, CATsumer Report.) Today, The Dog's Bow Wow describes itself as a "Mother, Daughter, Sister Corporation Approved By Grandpa." These people definitely have a sense of humor.

The Dog's Bow Wow is ruggedly constructed of high-density polyethylene plastic. It's airline-approved, and measures 17" wide x 12" high x 5.5" deep. It's made to fit easily under the seat of a plane, yet tough enough to be checked in as luggage.

Dog owners who travel by car with their pet can easily carry the Dog's Bow Wow into a motel room. Everything your pet needs for the night is included in the luggage.

The Dog's Bow Wow has a built-in food and water bowl, and a storage compartment for toys, leashes and clean-up bags. The lid detaches to form a dog bed with a comfortable foam pad. To remove the bed, you simply press down on the lid near the hinge when the suitcase is open. The bed can be reattached easily, just by reversing this procedure.

1 trial-size package dry Avo Derm® dog food
1 12.75 oz. can Avo Derm® wet dog food
1 Peppermint Pets(tm) natural treat shaped like a bone, 3.3 oz.
2 Dispoz-A-Scoop® poop-scoop bags
1 red dog leash, 3' long
1 play ball
1 Dog's Bow Wow Babysitter's Book
1 Foam Pad with a slicker yellow cover emblazoned with the Bow Wow logo.

The bowls are compartments built into the case. Silver says she designed this case for her Lab, who eats easily from the bowls. But, the bed that's built into the lid is, of course, much too small for a Lab. Silver's mom's Shih Tzu, however, loves it!

Removing the dog bed lid is a snap. Just open the lid 180 degrees, push down on the lid at the bottom, right-hand corner near the hinge, while pulling up on the bottom. To put the lid back on, you reverse the procedure.

Warnings on the packaging state: "Warning: Your pet does NOT go in this case. This luggage contains plastic and staples on packaging that may be harmful to children and/or pets." We here at Good Dog! are always very happy to see such warnings.

The luggage is available in royal blue or black. This is a compact case that's easily handled and keeps those doggy things nicely organized. The price is $69.95. For more information, or to order, call 1-800-582-6369, fax 1-714-556-2545, or write Dog's Bow Wow, 2672 South Grand, Santa Ana, CA 92795.

Traveling with your dog? There are a ton of books offering advice and lodging locations. But for a more in-depth, fun look at doggy destinations, take a look at Wendy Ballard's DogGone Newsletter. A one-year (6 issues) subscription is $24, or US $30 to Canadianaddresses. DogGone, PO Box 651155, Vero Beach, FL 32965-1155.