Dogs Accompanying Kei Cars Created This Adorable Family Photograph

      Samantha Tran

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      While I have a deep appreciation for stunning action photography, like the impressive works of Larry Chen, sometimes all it takes to capture an outstanding car photo is a fantastic subject and clean composition. This image featuring two charming dogs, color-coordinated kei cars, and the cute details of the personalized license plates has become one of my favorite car pictures of 2025.

      I came across this while scrolling through Facebook, where I belong to numerous car and dog groups, making it hard to recall where I first found it. However, I was able to contact the uploader, Samantha Tran, who graciously allowed me to share the photo here and offered some background information.

      The cars are owned by Tran and her husband, and yes, the dogs do ride in both. For those of you who may not be familiar with the breeds, the dog on the left is a Shiba Inu, and the one on the right is a Corgi—both appear to be fully grown. Just in case this ends up on a dog page where some readers aren't car enthusiasts: The vehicle on the left is a Honda Beat and the one on the right is an Autozam AZ-1. Neither was sold new in the U.S.; both were imported from Japan and are termed “kei cars” due to their small size. The legality of these cars in various states, including MA, has been debated but is generally gaining acceptance.

      Regarding the dogs' opinions on their 660cc rides:

      “Mike usually takes the Shiba while I take the Corgi on drives—the Shiba enjoys the Beat because it offers all the fresh air she could want, but the Corgi isn’t a big fan of the AZ-1! His head is too big to stick out of the tiny window 😂,” Tran communicated with me via Facebook Messenger.

      I haven’t had the chance to drive a Beat, but I once had the opportunity to zip around Malibu in an AZ-1—it's essentially like riding in a hamster ball powered by a Harbor Freight engine. It's a blast for humans, but I can understand why the dog might not be as fond of it.

      Tran mentioned they also own a kei truck and sent me this photo of the pups in the back of a similarly small Honda Acty (cropped here to fit our page):

      Samantha Tran

      I must admit, I’m quite surprised that these license plates weren’t already claimed (assuming they aren't just display plates for events and photos). However, I believe they've found the ideal cars to feature them.

      Do you have any other wonderful pictures of dogs with cars to share? Feel free to send them my way at [email protected]. I can't guarantee they’ll be posted, but I would definitely love to see them.