This is a lame question, it is just that I am so dog crazy sometimes I need a dose of reality so tell me if I am off base.

I agreed some time ago to go on a camping trip with some girlfirends. It will be a fun hut based trip in Yoho National Park, no serious goals other than some mountain hiking and fun!

The Hut is owned by the Alpine Club of Canada and they do not accept dogs. I even tried calling and pulling the SAR dog card but to no avail. (Exceptions for rescue missions)

So the question....Do I bring/carry in a tent so I can bring the dog? I would still be able to use the hut for cooking and socializing, but would sleep outside with the dog. I would have to carry the extra weight of a tent in/out.

I just can't stand the thought of walking around in the backcountry all day with out my dog! Seems a waste of bonding and exersice. At home he will be let out to pee and maybe get a short walk or two with the hubby at best.

Now the girlfriends will think I am crazy. Maybe they are right? There are somethings that you have to do without your dog right? I just spent all last weekend out of town at a SAR course without him, so I can do it if I have too.

Bring the tent and the dog....or leave him at home?

I'd take the tent.....

bring the dog and the tent! for sure!

....i also think it'd be a waste to hike in the mountains with your dog along to enjoy it.

i'd just bring a smaller/lighter weight tent. luc (70lbs) and i both fit in the big agnes SL1 (1 man), comfortably, and it's about a 3lb 1oz weight if i remember right. don't know what tent(s) you may already have, but i'd say a small tent would be worth the extra weight.

Leave him home.....I speak from knowing exactly how you feel.....

The hardest thing for me to do is go somewhere without a dog or dogs since I have 6. AND when I do, I will all of the sudden think I have to go check my dog in my vehicle or I have actually asked, "Where did Rock go?" when I did not even have him with me.

I don't do it very often and I always make sure I have competant kennel help unless Doug is staying home and taking care of them.

But then again, you can take him with too......hee hee.....helpful aren't I?

Oh yeah, before I get jumped on too bad for suggesting leaving him home....for those of you that don't know.....I spend everyday doing something with each one of my dogs. I spend most weekends out tramping around working them and all week working, exercising, socializing, feeding, cleaning, building, tugging, petting, hugging, running and cussing (just kiddin), one or more go with me to work Monday through Friday and they all rotate sleeping in the house and I also spend alot of time training with other people and their dogs as well.....sooooo sometimes, yeah, I leave them home where they get some much deserved time off.

Oh wow, how I can relate! We are planning a trip to Rocky Point Mexico in October. I'm actually trying to talk my hubby into going somewhere else. We will be camping (if you call a trailer with a/c camping still, I can't leave Levi home because I'm afraid of what might happen to the dogs if they are left to their own faculties (I'd have someone checking on and feeding them). I don't want to take him because if he got lost...oh, I can't even imagine the horror of being a stray in Mexico. Then again, what kind of diseases/fleas other critters will I bring home with me on him? My husband is persistent on going and knows we can't leave him here. I don't know what to do to prepare for this. I figure I'll just have to flea bathe him before we go...tie a leash around my waist and never take it off, then flea bathe him again when we come home. Alot of people take their dogs to the place we go. It's a very nice, clean tourist beach camp. STill, I've seen strays running through the camp many times when we have gone before. EEEE just gives me shudders thinking about it.

Ha Ha , notice I ask this on a board full of dog crazy people

I HATE to admitt it but I think Carol is right, and I think I asked because I knew it wasn't right to bring him, but was looking for reinforcement .

Like Carol, I am lucky enough to spend a lot of time with my dog. If I was going on my own, I would bring him in a heartbeat. The fact that I am going with 7 girls that are leaving their pets at home is another story....

I just called the trip organizer and she confirms that I am in fact crazy and she would prefer that I come alone (not that she doesn't like my dog!) Just that it would set me apart from the others, sleeping outside with your dog when everyone else is inside drinking wine from a bag is a "little" dog obsessed I suppose!

Both dog and husband can survive without me for another weekend. I often really enjoy time without my dog(like when I went to Italy last year), but hiking is just one of those times I always want him around.... Think I might just have to suck it up.

Not like he doesn't get to hike every week here so I shouldn't feel too bad. These are pictures from work this week:
http://s161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/farwesttoller/?action=view&current=farbaldy5.jpg
http://s161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/farwesttoller/?action=view&current=farbaldy3.jpg

Jennifer,

1. There is no such thing as too dog crazy

2. Looking at those pictures, I really envy you. What a wonderful lifestyle you are able to live.

3. Ask yourself if having your dog with you will increase or decrease the quality of experience you will have on this trip. It's ok to consider the feelings of your fellow hikers. Then make your decision based on that

Rich

I am in the leave him home camp for several reasons:

1. "That which does not kill you will make you strong." (good character building opportunity)

2. He would rather be home watching football with your husband. (I think it is important the two of them work on their bond)

3. Seperation makes the heart grow fonder. (Returning home renewed and relaxed will benefit your bond)

4. It is VERY GOOD for you to let go of some responsibility and take care of just you and I could think of no better company to do it in than the company of girl friends.

5. You will also be free to partake of the devil's brew, that is when the GFs might think you are crazy....when you start talking doggy talk and getting emotional about being on the trail without your bestest baby in the whole dog world....maybe you should steer clear of the booze

HAVE A BLAST!!!!!!!