[pct-l] Misses Dog

[Mary Kwart]

I used to hike on extended trips with my dog--she passed away in 2003 and I haven't replaced her yet, because I am gone a lot. I am putting off getting a new dog until I have at least a year to bond with them before I have to leave them. I think I would get too attached to a foster dog and not want to give it up. I used to have a caretaker come to the house and walk the dog several times a day and also feed her--I used to respond to forest fires so was gone for 3 weeks sometimes. I used the same caretaker, so she got used to them. I also have used a kennel--but that can get pricey, but there's more interaction for them. She was always happy to see me, no matter what.

There was a couple on the PCT that I met north of Belden who had hiked with their dog since Mexico. I only remember the dog's trail name: "Stink". Why not hike with your dog? There's got to be a way around the added logistics. My dog had a dog pack and carried her own food and a piece of pile for a bed that I put in my tent. She loved it. I never asked the people I met how they managed to avoid meeting rangers in the national parks where dogs aren't allowed on the trails. There must be some solution. My dog was very well behaved and didn't bark or chase wildlife and stayed with me all the time. She was a queensland heeler.

--Fireweed


----- Original Message -----
From: pct-l-request at backcountry.net
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009 7:32 pm
Subject: Pct-l Digest, Vol 24, Issue 30
To: pct-l at backcountry.net

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