[pct-l] Dogs on the trail

[Bill]

Andy,

Be confident that there are many hikers that love dogs and actually really
enjoy seeing them on the trail.   We - errr - I mean they - have just
learned over time not to chime in on such topics.  You will run into far
more people who ask to pet your dog and smile when they see the dog's
zen-joy.  You appear to know the rules, limitations, have a courteous mind,
and a dog with solid history.  You will be fine.

I remember once being near Half Dome and waking under my tarp to a throng of
singing birds.  I lay there listening to all the chatter. I identified at
least nine different calls. When I emerged from my tarp and looked for all
those birds, I found all that chatter coming from only two birds.  They sat
in the same tree on opposite branches challenging each other with these
remarkable variations in song.  They could twitter, whistle, caw, and sing.

I promise, you will have a wonderful time.

Be well,

Pink Gumby

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Andrew Jones
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 6:15 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Dogs on the trail

Okay, you guys are freaking me out. Here's the deal: my wife and I are
through hiking this summer, and the dog is coming with us. I know the issues
with this - we've spent more time preparing for her being on the trail than
ourselves. We know exactly where she is allowed to go and where she is not,
what problems we may encounter (heat, water, etc.) and we've prepared for
these. One thing we didn't anticipate is the enormity of the negative
feelings towards her on the trail.

She is a well-behaved dog that loves hiking, which she does entirely while
attached to us by a 20 ft retractable lead, for her own safety. She usually
will not even acknowledge other people on the trail, but does enjoy visiting
with other dogs she meets - she has spent years living around our horses,
and is used to all kinds of livestock. She is well trained, especially for
the command of sit and stay, which she does well even at a distance from us.
She will not hurt you, and will not be allowed to approach you unless you
ask to visit with her.

So please, if you see a young couple hiking north with a large red/orange
hound, do not attempt to maim/kill/eat this well-loved and well-behaved dog
or her owners. And please tone down the rhetoric, I WAS enjoying this list.
Emphasis on WAS.

Andy
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