We took a great hike over the weekend with our good friends Phil and Martha and their "Lucky Dog," Alice. Long time readers of the blog will remember a post about Alice. She has a great job in the summer helping Phil spot fires from the Hillsboro peak fire lookout overlooking the Black Range in the Gila National Forest.
Our hike was in a super secret valley or arroyo known only to local archeology buffs. We live in an area that was home to the Mimbreno culture about 1000 years ago. Our area is rich in rock art and other more spectacular reminders of our native american past. The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is only 45 miles north of our house.
This particular hike was through some very rough country. There is no trail to this arroyo so we 
bushwhacked through Chihuahaun desert for about four miles before climbing up into the arroyo by following a dry stream bed. Alice flushed several jack rabbits and cotton tails on the way up and made a valiant effort at running them down each time. These critters were never in any real danger as they are accustomed to being pursued by Kit Foxes and Coyotes on a regular basis.
By the time we hit the mouth of our arroyo Alice had put in twice the mileage we had. The good news for Alice is that she is used to this type of activity. Either Phil or Martha takes Alice for a long hike every day on Boston Hill right here in town. And that's important when you are considering taking your dog for a strenuous outing.
Just as you should never consider hitting the trail without some preparation, the same thing goes for our dogs. It takes time for them to develop the strength and stamina for hiking. It also takes time to condition their feet for the rigors of rough country travel either on a trail or off. If you are planning a spring break or summer vacation that will involve hiking with your dog be sure to plan in some time for conditioning for both of you.
Work up to a hike of the same distance you'll be doing over a few weeks leading up to your trip. If you have three or four hikes in before the trip you should be OK. Believe me, you'll have a much nicer vacation with a little preparation.
There are other precautions you should take when hiking. Here in the southwest we have lots plants that are full of spines and stickers. We were stopping every hour of so to remove these stickers from our socks and bodies. Alice collected a few too.
It's always a good idea to check your dog's feet during and after a hike. It's particularly important to check between the toes and pads on the bottoms of their feet. Cactus spines and grass awns and other sticky plant parts can get stuck between the toes and actually migrate through the skin and up into the feet. Infections and painful abscesses can result. It's much, much easier to get them out before they they work their way through the skin. You're looking at a trip to the vet once they get up in the foot.
The other important items to remember on a hike are water and food for both you and your dog. Every time we stopped for water Alice lined up to get a squirt from Phil's Camel Back. She's gotten very good at lapping it right out of the air, but it's always a good idea to bring a portable, collapsible water bowl for the dog if there is no potable water on your hike. Be sure to take enough water too. Phil and Alice went through two liters of water on the hike. It's alway a good idea to have more in the car for the end of the hike too, especially in the summer when water needs can increase dramatically.
On long hikes it's a good idea to bring a snack for the dog too. Chris and I used to give Darcie granola bar bites when she was young enough to go along with us. We'd give her a bite every time we snacked and had some of her food in the car for her when the hike was over.
It's always fun to have the pooch along with you if you can. Make sure to check the regulations where you'll be hiking. Most National Parks and Monuments don't allow dogs on the trails. Some places require leashes. For us it was great to see Alice having free roam being able to explore and sniff wherever she pleased.
And you would have enjoyed seeing us all laying around on the couch after the hike. We were all beat, but we are already looking forward to next week end.
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