Ready For Fall Hikes With Your Dog?

Parental Unit and I during our most recent hike in Hocking Hills State Park.

There are a few more days until we officially hit autumn, but I bet you're already planning to take your pooch on a few fall hikes in your local parks. Columbus has an excellent metro parks system, and we even have a national park in southwestern Ohio. And Parental Unit loves to hike, particularly if there's a good dinner waiting at the end of the trail!

Whether you're taking your dog on a few hour day hike or an overnight camping trip, it's always smart to be prepared. Check out these tips from PetFinder, which are for the novice to mid-level hiker, as are these hiking safety tips from the the ASPCA. If you're planning a more strenuous hike and/or an overnight stay in the woods, you should probably review these hike planning strategies for you and Fido from REI, a company that sells high end hiking gear and camping equipment.  This article focuses on how to best pack for your dog before you head for the hills.

We were only gone from our home about seven hours total, but Parental Unit and her friend packed a picnic lunch, and of course, I ate my food from my own, drawstring travel bowl.

Even just a day hike is a refreshing respite from the daily grind—communing a bit with nature and exercising the old-fashioned way (walking outside!) is the perfect way to renew you and your dog's spirit. Are you planning fall hiking trips with your dog? We'd love to hear your strategies for a safe, fun hike with your best buddy.

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BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop!

Today's Wordless Wednesday "theme" over at BlogPaws is "Dog Days of Summer" and it is pretty stinkin' hot across many parts of the country. This week's featured photo shows a pooch enjoying a dip in what looks like a lake, plus a nice game of fetch. How are you keeping cool through the dog days of summer?

Meanwhile back at the Ohio ranch...we had one day of cooler, sunny weather, so Parental Unit took me to Hocking Hills State Park in southeastern Ohio, for a long hike and picnic. Boy, it was nice to get out of the house for a day!

Now off to the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop...maybe someone has a pool!

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Sunday's "Living With Your Pet" Tips: Safe Fall Hikes With Your Dog

     Fabulous photo of me by John Clark of Clark Creative

If you're all excited to get outdoors again after a long, hot summer and take your pooch on a hike rather than just a walk, you might want to first read these tips from our friends at the ASPCA. 

Hopefully we'll get to go on at least one major hike this fall, but if we do, I can assure you that Parental Unit will be prepared-she acts like we're going into the wilderness each time we go out the door! Although I love to make fun of her, if you're going on a real hike, the ASPCA recommends that you take enough water for both of you-"nature's water bowls" like streams, lakes or puddles, are off limits-they may contain parasites or toxins. And if you typically use a retractable leash, leave them home for a hike-they're prone to getting tangled and don't give you enough control over your dog in an emergency situation-which could be just fellow hikers with their own dogs. And don't forget ID firmly attached to your dog's collar with your cell phone number (This is one thing that Parental Unit must do, pronto).

If you do go on a fabulous fall hike, let us know-we'd love to know where you found some great fall foliage! Meanwhile, I've had my backpack on for days now...

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