[pct-l] Dogs on the trail

[Gary Schenk]

Andy,

Just curious, what's your strategy for the parks?

On Tuesday 17 February 2009 06:15:28 Andrew Jones wrote:
> 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