Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This review is for the Solvit "Tagalong Pet Booster Seat" in the Extra Large size (Item No. 62347). I paid $46.44 + FSSS. The product has 3 distinct pieces: 1) The plasticky-canvas basket which is in the shape of a rectangular prism with dimensions: 10 inches tall (bottom to top) X 14.5 inches deep (front to back) X 20 inches wide (side-to-side). The basket is a brown color and definitely has a shiny plasticky look. 2) Basket liner which is fuzzy and white. There is velcro along the top edge of the liner to hold the liner in place and the proper holes to accommodate all the straps. 3) Top strap which is supposed to go around the back of the headrest of your car. Overview: The basic idea of this product is to hang the basket on the front of your car seat using a top strap which goes around the back of your car seat's headrest. There is also a strap near the bottom of the basket which goes around the back of the car seat. My dog: I have a 12 lbs maltese who measures about 20 inches long (from nose to the base of her tail) and stands about 15 inches tall (from floor to the top of her head when she is standing). The good: - Solid overall build. There is a large rectangular base-board at the bottom of the basket so the bottom won't sag when you put your dog in. My only concern is the straps which I would have liked to have seen stiched with heavier thread, though only time will tell if they will hold up. - The basket liner is kind of cheapy, but I'm glad it was included for easy cleaning. - The straps are highly adjustable so I was able to find a wide range of configurations to try out. For example, I let out the straps to sit the basket on my car seat. Then I took in the top strap to raise the basket higher giving my dog a better view of the windows. Both settings felt solid. - There are two straps inside the basket to connect your dog collar for safety. The bad: - The basket does NOT stand up on its own. You have to hang it off a car seat for it to stand up. I was hoping to use the basket even when my dog was sitting on my girlfriend's lap, but that plan is out the window. - The plasticky-canvas smelled like chemicals. It was HORRIBLE. I had to take it out of my house right after I opened the box. To get rid of the smell I wiped the ENTIRE plastic-basket portion with a damp cloth, inside and out. Then I put distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and hosed the entire basket down including all the straps ( but WITHOUT the basket liner). I used a clean wet cloth to wipe off the vinegar and then I Febreezed the bejeezus out of the entire basket. I also put the fuzzy basket liner through the clothes washer twice and dried it with a dryer sheet. Final thoughts: Overall I am happy with the purchase mainly because I feel my dog is much safer sitting in this basket than just on my car seat. As for the size of the basket, I am glad I purchased the largest size. My little one has enough room to lay down and stretch out a bit. As you can deduce from the dimension of the basket and my dog, she is just barely able to see over the top of the basket while seated. But, I put down a blanket and she can now easily see over the edge while seated. My transaction with the seller "Amazon.com LLC", went smoothly and once I get the rest of the family excited about it, I will purchase another booster seat to travel with my dog when others are watching her.