Remove center console lid padded top?

My small dog likes to be between us, front legs on the center console lid, which I find too high, and unsafe for her.

Is removing the padded top of lid a big deal, leaving the hinged frame on?
If easy to do, I could make her a flatter, lower, more rigid platform to stand on.

I did not get a chance to poke at the new-to-me truck much, darn freezing cold out here.

 

I'm curious why the height of the dog's position is unsafe for her? Are you worried about her flying through the windshield during a collision? My dog is 38lbs and he stands the same way - back legs on backseat, front legs on the center console - and it never occurred to me that it might not be safe. I always figured, since he's not wearing a seatbelt, he's fucked if we get into an accident. It has to be safer than being in the bed anyhow...

 

Not sure if that going to make any differance the pad/rubber part is like an 1/8 inch thick.

 

I looked to me like it was pretty thick, and with rounded edges, making the "stable", flat part smaller. Maybe the design has changed?

A small drop in height may also help, and I can put on a covering offering more grip. The other family car is an Odyssey, and dog enjoys being on the low, center tray, fitted with a small rug!

 

There really isn't going to be any way to make it safer for your pooch bud. It's super thin as is and you won't be able to take height away