[pct-l] dogs

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (dsaufley@sprynet.com)]

This message is not about permissibility, but of whether it is a wise choice.  We have hosted many (about two dozen) dogs along with their masters at Hiker Heaven in Agua Dulce (mile 464).  

I have seen a few dogs that were doing GREAT, rarin' to go and adapting well.  Some dogs, like people, are well suited to big miles and traversing rough terrain.  It seems that the bigger the dog, the bigger the problems, but that doesn't always apply either.  

I have been deeply disturbed by seeing dogs with bloody feet that looked like hamburger because their pads were rubbed raw, both by the ground and by the booties their owners thought would prevent that problem (the booties themselves caused chafing that became raw and bled).  Many of these owners claimed to have conditioned their dog and their pads before the trip, but nothing could prepare them for the ardors of the trail.  

I've seen dogs come in and lay down and look like they never wanted to get up again.  But they do, and will follow you, even when it's killing them.  I have begged some owners to leave their dogs to rest and heal, and that I would bring the dog to meet them up the trail somewhere, to no avail.  It broke my heart.  I wanted to ask, "you love that dog how much???" But I bite my lip; it's HYOH, right?  Too bad the dogs can't HYOH -- I think it would involve many more lazy afternoons in the shade of the chaparral than their owners can allow them.   

A little (true) story about a dog I knew (not a PCT dog).  He was a German Weinmariner, young, athletic, with lots of "go" in him.  His owner took him out for a run with her in Towsley Canyon (near Santa Clarita, CA) one warm afternoon.  Midway through the run, the dog collapsed and died from the heat.  Dogs can't perspire and cool themselves, and their systems simply shut down.  They can't tell you they're not feeling well, and they will keep following you, no matter what.  To this day, the owner has not forgiven herself. 

So, even if they're allowed, it may not always be the wisest choice, and you won't know until you get out there whether it was a good choice or not.  Ask yourself whether it's worth taking the chance, allowed or not.

-=Donna Saufley=-







-----Original Message-----
From: kelly jackson <kellyandhank@hotmail.com>
Sent: Dec 15, 2004 1:26 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] dogs

Are dogs allowed on the trail ?


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