[pct-l] Hiking with my dog

[Whitnee Goode]

Hello!
 
I am planning a 2011 thru hike and am having trouble with the idea of not seeing my dog for 5 or 6 months. I wouldn't ever take her through the desert or the lava flows, so bringing her really isn't an option... I am, however, entertaining the thought of picking her up at Cascade Locks (nearest to my home in Portland) and taking her along through Washington. I'd like to hear some opinions about it. Also, if anyone knows of places in Wash. that don't allow dogs, I would love to know that as well. Like I said, I am only entertaining this thought. I realize how much of a pain in the ass it would be to hike with a dog (hitchhiking would be nearly impossible, worrying about her feet/food/hydration/etc. would slow me down, not to mention if anything happened to her I would have to leave the trail). I am VERY close to my dog and I doubt I'm the only one having difficulty with this aspect of long distance hiking. 
 
Whit