[pct-l] Dogs on the trail

[Andrew Jones]

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