Sleepypod Air & Sidekick Review & Giveaway

Disclaimer: This review and giveaway is brought to you by Sleepypod.

One of the benefits to having a small dog is the ability to easily travel with them. So when Sleepypod, makers of all the things necessary to travel with your small pet, offered me up the chance to test out their Sleepypod Air Travel Bag and Sidekick Bike Rack I couldn’t wait to get riding!

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

The Sleepypod Air has all the bells and whistles needed for a comfortable and safe travel experience for your pet. The Air can even be used to safely transport your pet in the car (by attaching the bag with a seatbelt), and is also airline approved. It comes in 5 yummy colors (jet black, dark chocolate, orange dream, glacier silver, and strawberry red), I chose the orange dream color because I thought it might reflect the light/sun more (I thought black might get hot if I was biking in the sun), and plus, who doesn’t love some color!

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

The Sleepypod Air is also an airline approved bag that can easily adapt to under -seat storage requirements set by different airlines. The Sleepypod Air is a great bag for Dachshunds as it is one of their largest travel bags. The ends of the bag can compress from a length of 22″ to 19″ and all the way down to 16″ so it can easily fit under airline seats when needed. It even folds up completely flat when not in use (so once you reach your destination it won’t take up much room in your own suitcase).

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Now I haven’t tested the Air in the actual AIR, but I decided for my first adventure with it I would take it for a spin with the Sidekick bike attachment designed to work with several of Sleepypod’s pet carriers.

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Before setting out on my maiden voyage bike ride I had to help Mom and Dad install it. The Sidekick is designed to be a stable base to hold a Sleepypod pet carrier on your bike.

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

We followed the handy directions on how to install the Sidekick and with a little supervision from yours truly I was soon ready to take it for a spin. It helps to note that it works best on bikes that contain additional eyelets on the front wheels, but have no fear if your bike doesn’t have any (mine didn’t either), Sleepypod sells additional attachments to make it work on ones without them.

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Once installed on your bike the Sleepypod Air easily attaches to the rack with a few buckles that are already included with the bag.

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Now I’m a bit on the large side when it comes to fitting comfortably into the Air. Weighing 18 pounds I’m a bit over the recommended weight limit for dogs of 15  pounds, but I was still able to lay down in the bag and I could even turn around in it if I really wanted to.

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

When it came time for my first bike ride Mom and Dad weren’t sure how I would like it. If you know me, then you know I’m not exactly thrilled about being in confined spaces like crates. But for a few weeks leading up to my ride Mom had been hiding treats in the bag around the house to convince me that it wasn’t a scary place to be.

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

So when I was finally zipped inside and off on my ride I was quite comfortable. The mesh lining on top of the bag is quite see-through and breathable so it helped me feel less confined. I didn’t even mind when mom made a few quick turns with the bike.

Check out the video below of me enjoying my first few rides with the Sleepypod Air and Sidekick.

Since I’m a larger dachshund my weight was a little hard for mom to handle on the front of her bike (making steering a little more difficult), but I told mom she needs to start lifting weights anyway! I’m sure you could probably install the Sidekick on the back of a bike too, making it much easier to ride with a little bit heavier of a dog. I may end up helping mom install mine on the back of our bike – just so she stops complaining that her arms are sore after our bike rides…..what a wimp!

I can’t wait for the many more bike rides that are sure to be in my future with the Sleepypod Air & Sidekick!

Sleepypod Air and Sidekick Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

And now for the best part…

ONE Lucky WINNER will WIN a Sleepypod Air!
(winner chooses color)

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

For this giveaway I will be using, Rafflecopter. We only use the information you provide to contact the winners and we never share it – so not to worry. Winners will be chosen at random and you will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize. All the winners will also be announced on this blog post once the giveaway ends on 11/5/13 12AM EST. Open to US Residents Only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sleepypod, but all opinions are entirely my own.

Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Bike Baskets for Dogs from Hunter K9

The weather has warmed up quite a bit here in Pennsylvania, and it has me itching to get out and about with my mom and dad. Typically when it is nice out I love to go on long walks with my family, but this year I’ve been dying to go on a bike ride too! So I decided to round up some of my favorite bike baskets made just for dogs – so that your furry friend never has to be left home!

Check out these neat bike basket options from Hunter K9!

Bike Baskets for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

1. Wicker Pet Bicycle BasketMaximum weight 13lbs – dimensions 15″ W x 11″ D x 9.5″ H – Fetch it for $60

2. Doggy Ride Coccoon BasketMaximum weight 16lbs – dimensions 10″W x 14.5″L x 15″ H – Fetch it for $106

3. Pet Rider Bicycle SeatMaximum weight 24lbs – dimensions 14″ long x 12″ wide- Fetch it for $79

4. Sporty Dog Pet Bicycle BasketMaximum weight 14lbs – dimensions 13″ W x 10″ D x 10″ H- Fetch it for $60

Remember to always keep your pet safe by having him to wear a harness and seatbelt attachment when riding in a bike basket. Many of these options include safety devices with them as well.

Any of my readers ride in a bike basket? Which brand do you use? Do tell! Ammo the Dachshund