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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I’m in an awkward position when it
comes to making “recommendations,” especially when it comes to
something as precious as the life and well being of your best canine friend,
and the dream that you have been dreaming to bring him along. I try
instead to present the realities of what I’ve seen, having the unique
opportunity over the past 11 years to meet the majority of hikers on the trail
and their furry friends. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Like Andrea Dinsmore (aka PCT Mom), I’ve
seen dogs who do extremely well and seem to be having the time of their lives,
and dogs that are doing so poorly I wanted to kill their owners or at least
report them for animal cruelty. How will you and your dog do? Geez,
that is impossible to call. With the dogs at least, breed purpose does
seem to play a strong factor. I would not venture that a Maltese is
exactly a coursing breed, but the fact that you plan to carry the dog
compensates somewhat for that. Can you carry a dog (and its food and
water) through all of the sections where they’re allowed is a question
only you will be able to answer. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>With the following I’m not trying to
be negative, but I sense that you are well versed in the positives of bringing
your dog along with you. I’m trying only to give some balance to
your decision process with the things that I know about:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I think
you’re right to be concerned about fords in those places that are blessed
with creeks and rivers (not down here!!). Many adults have difficulties
just getting themselves over some of them, and they require both your hands to
get you across safely. Are the life vest and safety line you plan to use
going to be effective in raging torrents?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>We have
a lot of predatory animals out here. With such a tiny dog, I’d also
be concerned about the coyotes, mountain lions, and even birds of prey. The
extreme drought conditions we’re in down here has driven wild animals to
turn increasingly upon domestic animals in brazen attacks. We do not
bring our only trail capable dog (a smooth coat fox terrier) out on the trail
for this reason alone. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Others
have rightly mentioned rattlesnakes, which are a real concern for human and dog
alike. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Where
will you be and how will you get out if you need help for your dog? The
PCT does not have the frequent road crossings the AT does with relative close
proximity to towns.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As many
have mentioned, the water situation out here has been outright dire, and the
forecast for rain this coming winter is not good, though we pray the
forecasters are wrong this time. Can you carry gallons and your gear and
your dog? And still enjoy your experience? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>If things go wrong, you will have to live
with that outcome and I suspect would not forgive yourself. The bottom line is
if you are willing to take the chance and the challenges, it might be a
wonderful experience for you and your beloved friend, and we’ll welcome
you both here at Hiker Heaven. I wish you wisdom in making such a
difficult choice. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>L-Rod<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
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face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> g l
[mailto:gailpl2003@yahoo.com] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, November 16, 2007 5:18
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Donna Saufley; PCT<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [pct-l] Dog Help</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Donna-<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I value your opinion for sure. I wonder if you've had a chance to
read all my posts on this topic. If not, please take a minute to do so
and see if you think my plans for bringing my dog is "do-able".
I think my previous responses may at least convince you that I've put a lot of
planning and thought into this and into making it as safe as possible for my
dog. Most importantly, as I've said before, I plan on CARRYING him most
of the way. When I wrote you before about coming to Hiker Heaven in '08,
I said you'll know me because I'll be the one carrying the dog!!! I have
read of a guy that carried his cat all the way, on top of his backpack. I
doubt that my dog weighs more than his cat, so I don't think it will be too
horrible to carry the extra weight.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Wheeew<br>
<br>
<b><i><span style='font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Donna Saufley
<dsaufley@sprynet.com></span></i></b> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #1010FF 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I apologize because I haven’t read
the references Mags provided, but wanted to comment on your response because it
sounds like your dog’s trail experience has been on the AT. Please
keep in mind that the PCT and AT are similar only in that they are both long
trails. The weather and terrain you’ll find on the southern PCT are
for the most part quite dissimilar to anything you’ll find on the
AT. In some sections, you’ll experience 110 degree plus days,
single digit humidity, long waterless stretches without shade, and soil like
sandpaper. The dry, harsh, extreme desert conditions found in <u1:place u2:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Southern California</u1:place></st1:place> can be very hard on people
and on animals who aren’t adapted to them. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Lover of dogs (current count: seven)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>L-Rod<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
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face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
pct-l-bounces@backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces@backcountry.net] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>g l<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, November 15, 2007
3:38 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <u1:PersonName u2:st="on"><st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Paul Magnanti</u1:PersonName></st1:PersonName>; PCT<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [pct-l] Dog Help</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Thanks Mags.....both are excellent references. And you are right
of course. I couldn't bear to part with my best pal. However, it is
also true that every time I get my backpack out he gets soooooo excited.
He's smaill, but he loves to hike and camp! He has hiked as much as 12
miles a day for 2 days in a row, in the mountains thru pouring rain both
days. And still he loves it. The only time I saw him freak was when
lightening struck very near......but I freaked too, having been struck by lightening
in the Shenandoahs, when I did a thru on the AT! Yikes!!<br>
<br>
Wheeew<br>
<u1:PersonName u2:st="on"><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><b><i><span
style='font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>Paul Magnanti</u1:PersonName></span></i></b></st1:PersonName><b><i><span
style='font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'> <pmags@yahoo.com></span></i></b>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Though meant for the <u1:place u2:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Appalachian
Trail</u1:place></st1:place>, the general concepts should apply for the PCT:<br>
<br>
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.795337/k.9784/Hiking_with_Dogs.htm<br>
<br>
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/atf/cf/%7BD25B4747-42A3-4302-8D48-EF35C0B0D9F1%7D/fido.pdf<br>
<br>
(Written by a veterinarian!)<br>
<br>
<br>
Obviously the desert hiking is another ball of wax from the AT. Most of the
snow fields a hiker typically crossed are in NPS lands where Fido is not
allowed, so that is one less<br>
physical hurdle for Fido. But a possible logistic issue for you.<br>
<br>
Good luck!<br>
<br>
ps. "He would be far happier on the trail than without his master for
several months."<br>
<br>
Or maybe it is the reverse ;-)<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
************************************************************<br>
The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust <br>
caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched<br>
--Thoreau<br>
http://www.pmags.com<br>
<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Pct-l mailing list<br>
Pct-l@backcountry.net<br>
To unsubscribe or change list options (digest, etc):<br>
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.34/1134 - Release Date: 11/16/2007
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<p><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>No virus
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9:52 AM</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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