dogs

[neil d]

Very interesting thread! Good luck bobby49 with your new companion! Put in the time and it will be rewarding.

I have two labs, one raised from a pup and one a rescue. They are great for the outdoors, and i always thought I would want to backpack with one or both, but it is a lot of work! Packing food and supplies, being mindful of the land mines, monitoring dog activity and interactions with others, not to mention labs ruining the fishing...

I am always impressed when I see a well-behaved dog having fun in the mountains, but I suppose I am much too selfish about my backpacking time to add all the dog-related chores. They frequently come along on day trips.

[rlown]

It's raining profusely in the North bay area. So, I donned my raincoat, strapped on Simba's pack and we went for a walk down the road.
Wet weather work is great to see how they respond. He did well.

[TahoeJeff]

not to mention labs ruining the fishing...

Yes, my black and yellow labs are, like just about all labs are, auqaphiles.
I gave up on trying to keep them out of the water.
When its fishing time they are kept back at camp for the duration...

[rlown]

Hey Jeff, what vacuum do you use? I just bought a "Pet Eraser" Bissell as my yellow lab shedds beyond belief. He rides with me in the truck and it's like a snowstorm when he shakes. There must be half an inch of fur in the truck. After it stops raining, I'll do the truck, but I did my office and the fur filled the container almost immediately.

[bobby49]

Can't you harvest that dog fur and use it for a dog sleeping bag stuffing?

[rlown]

It would still stink. Besides he has his quilt.

[TahoeJeff]

My dogs don't shed that bad. But when they do it's a lose/lose proposition as you get black hair and yellow hair.
We have a utility room off the back of our house where they sleep, so no dog hair in the house really.
And they go in the back of my truck with a fiberglass shell, so no dog hair in the truck either.
The back of my wife's Subaru wagon is a complete dog hair fest though....

[rlown]

Decided after the next storm in Sonoma, Simba and I will head to Mt. St. Helena. Probably Sunday. Time to see what he can do. He will have a pack, his treats, some of our water as the native water doesn't look drinkable. RLS park up to the top.

Still waiting on a pic of your dog Bobby.

[bobby49]

Still waiting on a pic of your dog Bobby.

Yes, I am still waiting on the dog.

[Shhsgirl]

When I was a teenager, we always took our two small dogs. Since then, I've had children and grandchildren instead of dogs.

One thing. Please either bury your dog's feces or carry them out. I've stopped staying overnight in Desolation because of all the young couples who bring their " starter child" (the dog) with them. Some stream crossings there really smell like dog poop. Not to mention the health hazard.