Useful trail dog.

“My dog tried to kill me once, skijoring. Heading down a steady but gradual slope, we approached a branch in the trail. We headed down one way and she suddenly decided to go the other. Wham. I did a belly flop on the trail, and probably slid ten feet.”

“I was awakened from a sound sleep one night by some shuffling and zipper sounds. I lit my light to see what was going on, and to my astonishment, Sarabelle was standing over me with the Pulaski. If I hadn't of awakened when I did, she surely would have decapitated me. She made up some story about a rat this and a rat that, but I didn't buy it for one second.”

“LOL!”

“I wish I could bring my dog backpacking with me but she is just to wild and it would be hard to keep her under control.

But she rocks though.

8)”

“to sing in camp...so add that to your list...great singing companion...plus they are fun to howl at the moon with.

I had my dog on his first TT hike and also his first hike with a group...I think he did well...I was a little concerned. but all in all I was happy...I hope that the others on the trip were ok with it. My dog loves people, a very social animal, and I love to have him with me...never misses the trail...as skully said, and warms up the tent nicely...its the morning burps in my face that really annoy me and make me laugh first thing in the am. so...do it and see for yourself...you can always eat the dog and then wear the skin for an outer layer if it doesn;t work out.”

“I've done so much skiing this year that my dog hasn't gotten out much. She did get excited when I got the snowshoes out though. Maybe we will do some shoeing Sunday. I just gotta bring some vaseline for her pads.

Mike, if you get your dog to a training class, she'll (He?) behave and will be a lot of fun to bring hiking. Dogs can be very expressive and full of energy and fun to watch as they frolic. Do train the critter not to chase the wildlife though. Suzy points it out to me, and because of her, I was able to pet a partridge before it freaked and flew.”

“I love my dog, and if it were possible he'd come with me wherever he goes, and most of the time would be welcome. However I seldom take him on the trail with me because although he's awesome companion, I realize that there are people in the world who have no concept of canine companionship, and just don't get it. I realize that there are people in this world who think "If it serves no apparent purpose (for me) then it's of no value". That is completely inward thinking, selfish in nature and often represents that person's general attitude toward people as well. In other words, "If they can't do anything for ME, can't provide ME with entertainment, don't provide ME with something of monetary or concrete value, then they are of NO value" Thankfully many people out-grow an attitude such as this, and start to look outward, thinking less of themselves and more of others. Unfortunately, many do not.”

“So now we have that a dog is:
-a good dishwasher
-a good companion
-a good protector
-a good hunter
-easy to care for
-a source of stinky heat
-a source of hair for your sleeping bags and electrostatically charged high-tech fabrics
-Skijoring
-Search and rescue assistant
-Pack animal
-Intruding critter deterrent
-An object of love
-smears stinky stuff around with his/her back so it will decompose faster.
- is a potential food source in time of famine."
-are fun
-are conversation starters
-look out for people (Lassie complex)
-great pathfinders
-Pulaski wielding mouse killers?”

“to get ded rats!

I theenk what I was doing with that pawlassie that time was tryin to dig down a rok that was under my sleepy bag so it would not be no hump under my butt.

I WAS NOT goin to chip off my daddys hed prolly!”

“Judging from the list that BS has here, these dogs have better quality and loyality than most humans i know. Now not all humans, just some..”

“BS

What are you going to do with Uphill's vaseline on the the paws?”

“I would love to do that.Man my dog would just go nutz just like me every time I go backpacking!

I will look into it.

8)”

“The last time I went backpacking I brought my dog. He is not used to going. He was a total SPAZ, would not sleep in the tent (I think he was on the look out for SCEERY BEERS), and slept with one eye open. Needless to say, he was a wreck in the morning.

I deduced rather quickly, if I'm going to bring him in the future he is definetely carrying his own food and water! I wish I could get him to sleep. Any suggestions?”

“Oh. I forgot to add, he totally loved it and was having a great time.

That's why you bring them BS”

“Buddur? Sarabelle? Does your Dad feed you sleeping pills?”

“if your dog carries it's own food and water it wil be tired. they tend to still runa around just as much as they would anyway. that usually wears em out.”

“One of the reasons I like having my dog on the trail, that was slightly alluded to earlier is the fact that she is my all wheel drive on the uphills. There is nothing like having your dog pulling you up the hill as you push with your legs.

Downside they can bring back the 'ivy' to you. Thats happened in the past. They are also something else to contend with. accidents/ injures and wildlife and human confrontations. I have thought about getting a chest/belly brush guard for my dog. She gashed herself one time trying get over a debris pile during a stream crossing.

She's nevered crapped on the trail and if she every was to its nothing a little 'foot wedge' can't handle. Remember smaller dogs means smaller piles. The dog crap arguement is absurd when compared to the littered and spoiled crapping grounds left by humans. Some ppl just don't know how to crap in the woods.

Hiking makes both of us happy.”

“Biz:

Try a longer hike :)”

“Biz, set up your tent in your backyard or park and bribe your dog into it...that's what I've been doing with my sis' dog.”

“Khatru is usually so tired that he just passes out, plus when its time for me to go to bed, its time for him to go to bed...thems the rules. He usually walks around the perimeter of the tent a couple of times then finds his spot and just plops himself down. Once he is settled, then I can move my things around and get comfy.”