[pct-l] Dog Help

[g l]

Donna-
   
  I value your opinion for sure.  I wonder if you've had a chance to read all my posts on this topic.  If not, please take a minute to do so and see if you think my plans for bringing my dog is "do-able".  I think my previous responses may at least convince you that I've put a lot of planning and thought into this and into making it as safe as possible for my dog.  Most importantly, as I've said before, I plan on CARRYING him most of the way.  When I wrote you before about coming to Hiker Heaven in '08, I said you'll know me because I'll be the one carrying the dog!!!  I have read of a guy that carried his cat all the way, on top of his backpack.  I doubt that my dog weighs more than his cat, so I don't think it will be too horrible to carry the extra weight.
   
  Wheeew

Donna Saufley <dsaufley at sprynet.com> wrote:
        v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}        st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }                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
   
   
   
      
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  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


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