When Crossing the Country by Car, Choosing the Right Dog and Car Is Crucial

Emmy went blind. She's the 20-pound mélange of beagle, cocker spaniel, mini poodle, and Chihuahua pictured above. Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome turned off the lights in a matter of weeks.

Emmy moves through the darkness undaunted. It's inspiring to see her rebound after running into a wall, a door, a chair, or a parked car. Moving her to Michigan presented a problem. Putting Emmy in a Boeing's belly seemed a bit too Jonah and the whale. So I decided to do the 2200-mile trek by car. While Emmy can't spot speed traps like she used to, she could at least smell the mountains and plains.

For me, the crossing ends a self-imposed 10-and-a-half-year exile to California and brings a return to the C/D hive and the living rooms of loving friends. But what's the right car for such a journey? Our long-term fleet has some tempting options (Chevy Corvette, Porsche Cayman GTS). But a life-changing trip calls for something more personal, something like my 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera.

Humming along in the 911 is like flying a Cessna—the cockpit is tight, crammed with instruments, and a little noisy. The 3.6-liter spins its magnesium fan like a propeller; pulses and vibrations ripple through the car and into you. Slim pillars and a nearly upright windshield draw the world close. I went too far with the suspension setup. Anything but glassy pavement brings turbulence.

Watching the Road

Thoughts from the road: Left-lane obliviousness seems worse in places where the signage reads "Slower traffic keep right." Every driver thinks they're Lewis Hamilton; consequently, no one ever thinks they're driving slowly. "Keep right except to pass" signs are far more effective at moving dolts out of the way.