semi-truck vs gunner dog crate

03-12-192 mins read

This past winter, Charlie was guiding in Oklahoma when he loaded Hook in the car for a quick scouting trip. He was making the turn off of the highway when something in the rearview mirror caught his eye. A semi-truck was barreling down the road towards him and Hook. The semi smashed into the back of his Toyota Tacoma–right into the truck bed where his 10-month-old dog Hook, a Springer spaniel, was traveling in a G1™ Intermediate crate. Here's the story, in his own words.

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Story by Charlie Barberini | As Told by Gunner

TRAVELING WITH DOGS: HOOK’S GUNNER KENNELS SURVIVAL STORY

Me and Hook are on the road, a lot. I’m a hunting and fishing guide who spends time in Alaska, Oklahoma, Kansas & California, depending on the season. A few months ago – not long after I picked up my new pup – I invested in a Gunner dog crate and accessories for that cross-country travel and miles on the road.

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH OF GUNNER KENNELS

This past winter I was guiding in Oklahoma when I loaded Hook in the truck for a quick scouting trip. I was making the turn off of the highway when something in the rearview mirror caught my eye. A semi-truck was barreling down the road towards me. The semi smashed into the back of my Toyota Tacoma – right into the truck bed where my 10-month-old Springer Spaniel was traveling in his G1™ Intermediate crate.

The impact of the semi, combined with my travel speed, spun the Tacoma into a nearby bank and was enough to launch the Gunner Kennels dog box – with Hook inside – from the bed of my truck (I didn’t have the crate strapped down, learned that lesson).

I ended up hitting my head pretty hard. When I looked up to see the dog crate laying 30-40 feet from where I ended up in the Tacoma. My first thoughts weren’t pretty ones.

THE GUNNER KENNELS G1™ INTERMEDIATE SAVED HOOK’S LIFE

Hook went for a ride. It launched the crate pretty far and then rolled. The picture I sent to y’all was staged – the kennel landed at least twice as far as the photo shows. The Gunner Kennels door stayed locked the whole time too.

The bird dog was shaken up, but just fine thanks to the Gunner Kennels crate. Hook was able to finish out his first waterfowl season strong, and I’m confident trusting the safety of Gunner Kennels with him here on out.

In the end, Hook’s lucky he was in the Gunner. If it had been any other kennel, I’m sure it would’ve been smashed. He owes his life to it.

Side note: Check out this Tanglefree video, starring Barberini.

Gunner Kennels is the only double-wall rotomolded crate on the market, and that extra layer matters – our only kennel is the only crash test certified crate, per the Center For Safety.

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