kismet
kismet here. as many of you know, we’re headin’ out west and up north for the summer. me and chance and roxie are really excited! 2 years ago, me and roxie had many x-cellent adventures on our 2 month trip to vancouver, bc. (you can read about them here- scroll down a little).
since last time we drove west we hauled- butt to get to our destination, this time we’re takin’ our sweet time and enjoying the views. problem is, here in the usa, most of the national parks don’t allow dogs on the trails! grrrrrr!!!!!!!
some allow dogs, as long as they’re leashed on a 6-foot leash, but from our research on the parks we want to visit, most say “no” to any unpaved trails. well, after speculation (i know that word, i am a wise old tibetan terrier), i get the “no off-leash” thing-y. there’s wild critters out there that could put a real hurtin’ on us-or worse. i also know that some bad pup companions don’t clean up after their pooch’s messes. ( bad, people, bad!)
here is me and roxie playing on the beach at Schooner Cove on Vancouver Island on our last visit! we had soooo much fun!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryhd4mIyGDc&feature=player_embedded]
our friends over at dogfriendly have lots of good info to share, including these common myths about dogs on trails. there is also lots of other great info over there for anyone planning to travel with their furkids this summer!
let us know your thoughts on dogs in national parks. are you a grrrrrrr against allowing us on trails, or a yip yip for saying c’mon in!!! please leave us a comment below! arf!
Julie – Boy, I really sympathize. Being in a national park would be so much fmore fun with our dogs. But, actually I can see their point. Your dogs would be fine and so would our’s. Plus we don’t leave poop lying around. But there are those others — people who are proud of their dog’s ferocity and people who don’t bother to train their dogs. People who wouldn’t think of carrying Baggies. Damn. Maybe they could allow all dogs involved in pet therapy!
I would love to run across all you guys on a trail in Yellowstone or Grand Teton! Unfortunately not all doggies are as well behaved as you. We will be out west 6/25-7/2 if there is some slim chance you’ll be in the Jackson Hole area during that time. I’m outta work these days myself so we need to get together!!
OMD! email me youor schedule– maybe we can make it work!!
Afraid I have to agree with the feds on this one. Too many people think it’s cool for their pups to poop in the woods, chase wild critters, or even get killed for trespassing on the wrong critter’s turf. Too many people feel comfortable traipsing through the wilderness, but would be thoroughly intimidated meeting a freindly domestic pet on a forest trail, leashed or not. You can enjoy visits to many national park without ever getting out of the car. And there are plenty of pet friendly n0n-federal parks with hiking trails. Just gotta look for them harder.
well, bob, i agree w/ you on part of this- however, my style of travel is to GET OUT OF THE DAMN CAR!!!! we’ll just have to do more research. r u per friendly? i think so. hope to see you in WA!
Well that just stinks! The feds have too much regulation where this is concerned, in my opinion. What about all of the horrible people that tramp through national parks, littering them w/ cans, beer bottles, paper cups and all the crap I see when walking down a beautiful path somewhere? Even if one DIDN’T pick up after their pets, at least their waste is biodegradable. And I know that some people don’t like dogs and/or they might be afraid to meet up w/ one in a national park…chances are that they will be leashed. And again, IMO, if someone is afraid that they might come across a dog (or cat…I know people in CA who walk their Bengals on trails out there), MAN, are they gonna S!*# their pants when they come across a bear, poisonous snake or cougar!
The only thing that wrecks my day when I’m out enjoying nature, is a screaming, bratty kid that’s not being managed by his parents. 🙂
Jules – if you’re going to be in CA, let me know and I’ll try to get some ideas from my buddies out there.
i totally agree about the bratty kids. oh, and cell phones! what part of Calif??
Outside of Los Angeles
Pingback: You Said it Best Thursday #4/Important Personal Information | youdidwhatwithyourweiner
While researching for our upcoming travels, we realized how many national parks don’t allow dogs on the trails. It majorly bummed us out, as we’ll be traveling the country with our dog, Gus. I do see their point, but it’s frustrating!