I’ve never quite understood some people’s obsession with their pets – cats, dogs, ferrets, whatever.

Growing up my family always had a dog, and I’ve had various dogs over the decades during my time in Arizona. Had a cat for a while, too. We tried the various desert tortoises, hamsters and the like as well.

But I just don’t understand the obsessive part – people taking their dog to the grocery store, for example, or carrying critters onto an airplane.

I also have to question those folks who drive the car with Barney, Max or Lassie sitting on their laps. And letting the dog stick his or her head out the window while they cruise to the grocery store.

There are enough distractions out on the road – cell phones, loud music, crazy motorcycle riders, pedestrians – that having a pet in your lap while driving just doesn’t seem like an intelligent thing to do.

According to a recent press release I received, allowing your dog to stick its head out the window is a very dangerous habit. And it’s compounded even more on the driver’s side. Where is that brake pedal again?

While hanging out the window, dogs’ eyes are exposed to dirt, rocks, dust and other debris. These materials can easily puncture and scratch your dog’s eyes.

Apparently a line of pet goggles have come out that could help prevent these types of injuries – why am I not surprised? – but even if you can train your dog not to paw off these goggles, there are still other dangers. Like their tender ears. Or perhaps falling out the window.

That brings up another topic – letting dogs ride in the bed of a pickup truck. Sure, I’ve seen a lot of dogs who seem to enjoy that type of thing and are pretty good at adjusting as the pickup rolls along.

But you really love your dog that much?

According to the Humane Society of the United States, some 100,000 dogs are killed each year in accidents involving riding in truck beds. The website tripswithpets.com says that veterinarians see numerous cases of dogs being injured because they jumped out or were thrown from the bed of a pickup truck.

If these dogs are lucky enough to still be alive, broken legs and joint injuries are among the most common types of damage that they sustain, often resulting in amputation.

“Even though it’s not against the law in all 50 states, traveling with dogs in the bed of your pickup trucks should never be an option,” says Kim Salerno, president and founder of the above website.

Those with cars should definitely have their pets restrained in the back and away from the windshield. There are such things as pet travel crates, pet car seats and more.

Better yet, consider keeping your dog safe at home.

I gotta believe that Duke the “precious cargo” is much better off at home than flying out your window or leaping out of that pickup bed at 35 miles per hour…