Quote: Jennifer Mullen

that's a good point - and i need to up his fat intake anyways, though you're right, i want him to stay lean, any weight gain i want in the form of muscle.

it could be that he hasn't acclimatized yet, partly. i hope so. hopefully day trips will tell the tale with that. i am a bit worried about his bald spots though.

but it was a lot more than a little shivering - a little shivering and we'd still be out on the trail right now. it was bad, and constant, which is why i brought him back.

edit to note: i guess as well, b/c i didn't find it that cold, and he is outside with me so much, i would expect him to be more acclimatized than he appeared to be. he actually woke me up he was shaking so badly.

You know your dog best!

The bald spots are worth figuring out. I know quite a few dogs in my town that seem to develop bald spots in the fall that seem to go away in the winter (seasonal allergies???) Hopefully what ever that is you are able to get a handle on it.

Hopefully a coat will help when he is trying to rest as Lynn and others said. That paired with some acclimatization hopefully? Keep us posted on if he improves throughout the winter. I know you would just hate to have to leave him at home for your winter trips

i'm actually leaving his coat on now to see if he's licking at the spots more than i realize and if there is something pyschological or allergic rather than another medical issue....if his fur grows in, i'll know.

luc does have his own thermarest, and i'd actually made him a bed that was about 4 inches high of fleecy clothes, jackets, raingear (at the bottom, obviously), and all my extra clothes to sleep on. he did move partially off it by the morning though, but i figured if he's going to be doing that despite the fact it caused really bad shaking, then i can't assume he'll be smarter about sleeping on the bedding other nights.

luckily so far i have a couple of cabin trips planned - one place is great, no electricity, all wood stoves, but so cozy - and i think he'll be fine for those, but yeah - i can't imagine leaving him behind for backpacking in the winter. just like the thought of running without him, he really is my best friend.

....i was so scared to go the park last night w/the dogs, b/c of the creepy masked man. and i don't think i scare easily, i used to wander around downtown alleys at night when i ran the feral cat TNR program, but this guy was so creepy. my brother says i should tell the police even though he didn't do anything illegal b/c of how creepy his behaviour was and in case they have other reports of this.