Hiking with a dog question.

“thinair...distemper only comes from dogs.”

“Just a suggestion about the name dept.: take slips of paper, write the names you two want. You both will have to agree that what ever name you draw out of a hat/bowl/whatever... that will be the dogs name.

As for the trail and dogs? Someone I know that takes her dog on hikes ALWAYS brings the dog's collapsable dish, and enough water for them both. That dog is spoiled beyond belief, in reality! But if there's one thing I credit her for, is the level of love and respect she has for her dog. That dog is placed higher in "rank" than most human's place their own family memebers. So you see MM2003, not all dog owners are that bad. You shouldn't lump them all together like that, based on the lot that you've seen.”

“You're peobably correct, coyote 13, but domestic animals in the woods can cause havoc...personal opinion, but there are probably more responsible dog owners than not.

As to distemper, other carnivores can carry it...raccoons, foxes, etc., but the outbreak among gray foxes in California has been attributed to domestic dogs. It is transmitted through the air.

Hopefully all people get their dogs vaccinated, and please, leashes....”

“Well I'll do my best to protect the environment, as always. John Muir is someone I follow, he even had a dog for a while. Stickeen was his name.

Hmmmm Skickeen...”

“Thinair, Congrat's on the new addition! I've had labs and retrievers most of my life, and find them to be a gregarious, break-nuts-to-please kind of canine. They're full of energy, loving and - if trained well, with consistent discipline - reliable, affectionate companions you'll be proud to take with you - wherever you go.

A word of caution, though...

I had a microchip inserted into MY golden... but they tend to migrate over time, and as a result, when my Golden escaped the back yard, and was picked up by the pound, they couldn't locate the chip, and thus, couldn't notify me she was in their care...

I recommend you have it checked once each year, and make a note - if not a drawing - of the chip's location.”

“I have da temper....but only when I don't get my way.”

“Its always nice to hear adoption stories. I hope you two(or more) will have the best of times on the trail.

I do have one word of caution; Sooner or later your new loved friend will come into estrous and will beging her cycle. It is very important to keep an eye out douring this time as it is potentialy dangerous to have her out on the trail. You can see where im going with this so i will spare you the details. I would suggest geting your hands on as many breed specific books as possible, these will help you determine at what age you should start looking for this condition. Good luck and i hope we get to hear many, many stories about your new friend.”

“I hate dogs. They are the most disgusting thing that God has inflicted upon mankind. Ellie Mae, however, is a veritable princess among canines...that (not so ) stinking mutt can hike with me any time...
Did I mention that I hate dogs????
(Sorry, Maury)”

“Thinair, you's a hikin' man!! WTF you get a trail dawg for!?”

“I guess it takes a certain kind of person to appreciate the attributes of a canine companion - whether walking in the woods, walking the Washington Mall, walking the streets of Philly, or walking around the yard... dogs are the greatest thing to find humans since the opposable thumb.”

“But somebody answered it and ruined the trip.”

“I hike with my dog...he is a better hiker than most...except when he becomes kitty kitty dog, then he is a big baby.”

“Gonzzo, she's fixed, that the only way the SPCA will let you take dogs home these days. So I'm not concerned about her attracting any unwanted attention.

Oh and I think were naming her Lacota.

Thanks OWC, I'll have that checked once a year. Also were getting her an old fasioned dog tag. I live in a Mobile Home Park, a real nice one down by the SanJoaquin River, I have a medium yard with grass and plenty of space for the pup. The cool part is that if she gets out, there are so many neighbors who practically never leave the park. There is only one exit, and far from my place. Most likely someone would bring her back if she got out. Then again she might head straight for the river trails.

Anyway, my dog seems to have kennel cough and I'm taking her to the vet for some antibiotics tomorrow. Her cough was getting so bad that I took a friends advice and gave her a half a teaspoon of cough supressent. Seems to have settled her wheezing a bit.

I got her to fetch today! Dogs Rule!”

“Raccoons also harbor distemper.”

“I suggest you do not take your dog into the backcountry, since dogs do not belong in the backcountry.

LNT = LDH.”

“Micah does not belong in the backcountry unless he's with mommy and daddy.

LNT=LMH”