[pct-l] Dog Help

Fri Nov 16 16:38:40 CST 2007

Underneath my links, I mentioned how the desert is a whole 'nother ball of wax.

Should be repeated twice, though. Donna has probably seen many dogs who frankly looked very worse for wear after the SoCal desert.

My advice: If you are really set on taking your dog with you, I'd wait until after SoCal and the High Sierra.  After these sections are much more friendly to dogs not only in terrain, but also in terms of logistics. (e.g. not NPS lands).  There are some exceptions of course, but you'll have to check with each area for dog regs.

And though I hinted, I'll say it right out: I think it is the dog OWNERS who can't live without their dogs more so than the other way around. ;-)

I am not saying don't take a dog..but remember, your dog does not have a choice to be on the trail or not. Think long and hard about your dogs health, the terrain, the logistics, regulations, etc. You have the choice to take a long hike. A dog does not.

************************************************************
The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust 
caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
http://www.pmags.com

----- Original Message ----
From: Donna Saufley <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
To: g l <gailpl2003 at yahoo.com>; Paul Magnanti <pmags at yahoo.com>; PCT <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 3:26:07 PM
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Dog Help

<!--
 _filtered {font-family:Tahoma;panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
 p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
	{margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
	{color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
	{color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}
p
	{margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle18
	{font-family:Arial;color:navy;}
 _filtered {margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
	{}
-->

I apologize because I haven’t read
the references Mags provided, but wanted to comment on your response because it
sounds like your dog’s trail experience has been on the AT.  Please
keep in mind that the PCT and AT are similar only in that they are both long
trails.  The weather and terrain you’ll find on the southern PCT are
for the most part quite dissimilar to anything you’ll find on the AT. 
In some sections, you’ll experience 110 degree plus days, single digit
humidity, long waterless stretches without shade, and soil like sandpaper. 
The dry, harsh, extreme desert conditions found in Southern
 California can be very hard on people and on animals who aren’t
adapted to them.  

Lover of dogs (current count:  seven)

L-Rod

From:
pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of g l

Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007
3:38 PM

To: Paul
 Magnanti ; PCT

Subject: Re: [pct-l] Dog Help

Thanks Mags.....both are excellent references.  And you are right
of course.  I couldn't bear to part with my best pal.  However, it is
also true that every time I get my backpack out he gets soooooo excited. 
He's smaill, but he loves to hike and camp!  He has hiked as much as 12
miles a day for 2 days in a row, in the mountains thru pouring rain both
days.  And still he loves it.  The only time I saw him freak was when
lightening struck very near......but I freaked too, having been struck by lightening
in the Shenandoahs, when I did a thru on the AT!  Yikes!!

Wheeew

Paul
 Magnanti <pmags at yahoo.com> wrote:

Though meant for the Appalachian Trail ,
the general concepts should apply for the PCT:

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.795337/k.9784/Hiking_with_Dogs.htm

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/atf/cf/%7BD25B4747-42A3-4302-8D48-EF35C0B0D9F1%7D/fido.pdf

(Written by a veterinarian!)

Obviously the desert hiking is another ball of wax from the AT. Most of the
snow fields a hiker typically crossed are in NPS lands where Fido is not
allowed, so that is one less

physical hurdle for Fido. But a possible logistic issue for you.

Good luck!

ps. "He would be far happier on the trail than without his master for
several months."

Or maybe it is the reverse ;-)

************************************************************

The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust 

caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched

--Thoreau

http://www.pmags.com

_______________________________________________

Pct-l mailing list

Pct-l at backcountry.net

To unsubscribe or change list options (digest, etc):

http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See
how.

No virus
found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.34/1134 - Release Date: 11/16/2007
9:52 AM

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.34/1134 - Release Date: 11/16/2007 9:52 AM

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/attachments/20071116/102965ad/attachment.html 