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gunner saves dog’s life in head-on collision wreck
09-18-192 mins read
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I was driving in Ohio on a state route with my lab, Bear, who was riding in the back of my Toyota Tundra in a Gunner G1™ Intermediate dog crate. We were on one of those country roads that wound pretty heavily and I was going into one of the curves in pouring down rain when I smashed into a kid driving a Chrysler head on, going about 55 mph.
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Words by Chris Killion

I was driving in Ohio on a state route with my lab, “Bear”, who was riding in the back of my Toyota Tundra in a Gunner G1™ Intermediate dog crate. We were on one of those country roads that wound pretty heavily and I was going into one of the curves in pouring down rain when I smashed into a kid driving a Chrysler head on, going about 55 mph.

Head-on Collision at 55 mph

The bottom had dropped out of the sky earlier in the day and it hadn’t stopped since I started driving. The curvy backroad I was traveling on was slick from it, and the other driver had zero tread on his tires – a recipe for disaster. He essentially hydroplaned, which is why I hit him straight on when rounding that corner in pouring down rain.

The two vehicles connected so hard that I felt my whole truck lifted up into the air – by a miracle, we didn’t flip. I had just purchased the new Tundra off the lot two weeks before and in the end it was completely totaled.

The airbag deployed, and the other kid driving had his come out too. He came over to check on me before I could get out. I told him I was ok but asked him to make sure my dog was alive – I’m going to be honest, in that moment I wasn’t sure. He ran back there and reported that Bear seemed fine.

As I walked back there I thought this six-month-old dog is going to be too hurt or traumatized, and he was just about to start his first duck season. But when I opened up the door my boy came trotting out, not limping or anything (and dry, too). The Gunner kennel never moved and there’s not a thing wrong with it.

Later that day I could tell he was shaken, but it’s the most amazing thing to think about – he was in a head-on collision going 55 mph and now I’m out here tonight throwing bumpers to him. 

Like An Insurance Policy

Like I mentioned, this will be Bear’s first duck season, we’ve already done a little bit of upland. I just got him from a nearby breeder last winter. It’s a silver lab, and nobody wanted him. They were going to put him down so I got him – I wanted my next lab to be from a reputable breeder, but I felt so bad for this damn dog.

We’ve invested a lot into Bear in a short amount of time: I’ve done hours and miles of work since I started him on the Cornerstone Gundog Academy training courses. Plus he’s got the eye condition entropion, and because of that we’re a little too familiar with the specialists at the Ohio State vet clinic. Not to mention the bond my wife and I have developed with him.

All that to say… my philosophy on it is this: these dogs are an investment, no matter what kind of dog they are. I’ve got multiple dogs, so I have multiple Gunner Kennels. To me the Gunner dog box goes hand-in-hand with buying a dog, it’s like an insurance policy. This has proven that.

“When I walked back there and found Bear alive, I wanted to call you right away because I was almost in tears. Thank God for Gunner.”

Read more: “Gunner Saved Diesel’s Life

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G1™ KENNEL
Regular price
500
Sale price
500
"The idea for GUNNER Kennels was inspired by my own best friend, Gunner. I've always felt uneasy traveling with him in traditional plastic crates and was tired of replacing flimsy ones year after year." – Addison Edmonds, Founder View More Details
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Color:Tan
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TIE-DOWN STRAP KIT
Regular price
110
Sale price
110

GUNNER tie-down straps are used to securely anchor your dog crate to your vehicle and are the only ones that we recommend for 5 Star Crash Test certified safety.  Read why it's important to use GUNNER straps for safe travel. 

Made with an extra-thick custom cambuckle for additional break strength and a synthetic material to ensure you can leave these out 24/7. Now offered in two strap length options to accommodate a greater variety of setups.


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Strap Color:Blaze Orange
Strap Length:Combination
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PERFORMANCE PAD
Starting from
Regular price
90
Sale price
90

This GUNNER tough-skin insert provides a 3/4” pad of cushion for the crate, as well as waterproof comfort for the sporting dog’s tired joints on the ride home.

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Regular price
500
Sale price
500
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110
Sale price
110
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130
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130
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