Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Bella’s Tips for Humans who Hike with Dogs

black and white dog on hiking trail

Bella’s alternative title: Pooping in the Woods with my Human

You may be wondering about the title(s) of this article. My human, who has written for the Adirondack Almanack about public health stuff and dog treats (my favorite!) and recipes (my second favorite!) and the outdoors (my third favorite, especially if there are squirrels and birds to sniff), has been distracted by work. So distracted, that she has become positively boring, and hasn’t written all the stories and things she keeps talking about with me. So, I decided that I should help my human out and write this article for her, so that you other humans could have a dog’s perspective on what makes hiking with our humans one of our best and most favorite things, ever. Especially since I like hiking with my human and hope that my help means more hikes very soon. If all goes as planned, I will see you on the trails soon. I hope that you bring treats to share with me (like the ones my human has shared through the Adirondack Almanack, or that I will be sharing for her if she doesn’t get her act together and start being fun again).

~Signed, Belladonna (Entledoodle Extraordinaire). » Continue Reading.


Sunday, April 17, 2022

A dog’s-eye view of the ADK-9 Challenge

murphy on the K9 challenge

By Moose Murphy

When I was a puppy, my Uncle Ray often came to my house to see Papa (Joe). I was so excited to see Uncle Ray that I would run to the front door as fast as my little paws could scurry across the floor. I was taught not to jump on people or go crazy when a visitor came to our house, but I couldn’t help running circles around Uncle Ray and doing figure-eights in between and around his legs. He always says, “That’s a good lookin’ dog you got there, Joe!”

Uncle Ray stayed for a short time before Papa grabbed his backpack and headed out the door with him. I had so many questions for Papa as he patted me on the head and said goodbye. Where are you going? Why can’t I go? When will you be home? Papa and Uncle Ray smiled and joked as they left, so I thought wherever they were headed it was going to be fun. When Papa returned home happy and sometimes muddy and dirty, I knew he had a great time.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, August 19, 2021

Pet walk, low-cost microchipping highlight ADK Bark in the Park event

ADK Bark in the Park Flyer

TUPPER LAKE—You’re not the only one who wants to get outside this summer—your pets want out, too. Take steps to keep them safe at the first-ever ADK Bark in the Park event, happening on Sunday, Aug. 22.

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Metal Heads and Canine Compasses

scooby dooAs the title of the animated American TV series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! suggests, getting lost was a frequent premise. From 1969 to 1985, the cadre of teen gumshoes spent about half their time looking for young Shaggy, who always disappeared to smoke a joint (so it was implied), and then to satisfy his raging munchies afterward. His dog Scooby-Doo of course tagged along for the food. I recall one episode where Shaggy attempts to navigate a forest by looking for moss on the north sides of trees. He should have just asked Scooby to point North.

A 2013 paper published in Frontiers in Zoology suggests that dogs line up with Earth’s North-South axis when they defecate. Researchers took two years to observe 1,893 poop events, somehow accounting for a range of weather factors, before concluding that the number one element that influenced how dogs did a Number Two was Earth’s magnetic field. Perhaps the hound-winding pre-poop turning dance most dogs perform is to calibrate their internal compass.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, July 13, 2020

What are your thoughts about dogs on the trails?

Dogs: Do they need to be hiking or should they stay home? To leash or not to leash? Those are the questions facing pet parents who want to include their furry four-legged companions on excursions.

Read up on hiking do’s and don’ts in this article that’s part of the July/August edition of Adirondack Explorer: https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/dogs-in-the-adirondacks

And weigh in here with your thoughts and experiences.

Photo: Kim Douglas and her dog Stitch hike Haystack Mountain, a trail in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, where leashes are required. By Nancie Battaglia


Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Doghiker: Great Hikes With Dogs

doghikerAlan Via’s new book Doghiker: Great Hikes With Dogs from the Adirondacks Through the Catskills (Excelsior Editions, 2020) is a comprehensive guidebook for dog owners that includes plenty of great hikes from the Adirondacks through the Catskills.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Eastern Coyote: The Adirondacks’ Large Canid

eastern coyoteThere are few things as equally hair-raising and awe-inspiring as a chorus of coyote calls. My first experiences with these were of the hair-raising variety when I worked at a summer camp in Lake Placid for three years right out of high school.

We spent the summer living in canvas tents that were draped over wooden platforms. At night we could see the fire reflected in the eyes of the “coydogs” that lurked in the trees between the junior and senior camps.

And then we would hear the howls…no, the wails…no, the…the… Words fail to describe the sound these animals make when they all sing together, but it was enough to make me wish that we had a lot more between us than a flimsy canvas wall. » Continue Reading.


Friday, December 6, 2019

Treats For Furry Friends Workshop

dog treatsA Treats for Your Furry Friend workshop, which will allow participants to make and bring home several no-bake and baked healthy dog treats, has been set for Sunday, December 8th, from 1 to 3 pm.

Additional treat recipes will be provided, that are not only safe for dog consumption, but can also double as people snacks. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Be Informed About Harmful Algal Blooms

keeping dogs safe from harmful algal bloomsNew York Sea Grant is reminding the public to be informed about harmful algal blooms (HABs), how to avoid exposure of oneself and pets, and where to report potential HABs.

In a statement to the press, Jesse Lepak, Ph.D., Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Health Specialist with New York Sea Grant said: “Not all algal blooms are harmful, but some dense populations of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that can have serious effects on liver, nervous system, and skin of humans and their pets.” » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Woof Stock in Chestertown This Weekend

woofstockThis year’s Adirondack Woof Stock – A Weekend of Peace, Paws & Music, will be held June 8-9, in Chestertown, Warren County. Dog friendly events will be held at the Town Hall from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday. » Continue Reading.


Sunday, July 9, 2017

Your Dog And The Adirondack Forest Preserve

dog on leash

Dog owners should act responsibly and always ensure that their dogs are under the control; for the safety of the dog and wildlife, and to allow an enjoyable outdoor experience for other recreational users.

Wildlife approached by dogs may feel threatened and defend themselves, causing injury to the dog. Porcupines, racoons, coyotes, bears, moose and deer can all cause injury to dogs when cornered. Also there is a danger of rabies, distemper or other wildlife diseases being transmitted to the dog.

Dogs harassing wildlife can be seriously detrimental, especially in winter. Animals may be injured or killed if caught. This is more likely to happen to young animals, which may also be separated from their parent losing protection and nourishment. Also, animals may be injured while fleeing a pursuit, too. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Woof Stock Returns To Chestertown This Weekend

woofstockThis year’s Adirondack Woof Stock – A Weekend of Peace, Paws & Music, will be held June 3-4, 2016 in Chestertown. Dog friendly events will be held at the Chestertown Town Hall from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday.

Hudson Valley Dock Dogs, Beantown Disc Dogs and Doggie Fun Zone will return for the third year with dock diving, frisbee competitions, agility tests and lure chasing, as well as pet adoptions from Adirondack Save A Stray and the North Shore Animal League. Police canine demonstrations, a “Blessing of the Animals” and a dog talent show are all planned, along with vendors, food, and music all day, both days. Admission is $1 per day. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Lake George Beach Upgrades; Swimming Banned at ‘Dog Beach’

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that a new gate, sidewalk lighting, increased access, and extended hours are all planned for Lake George (aka Million Dollar) Beach this summer. The improvements to the gates, lighting, and signage cost an estimated $33,000.

In addition to these changes at Lake George Beach, DEC announced that swimming will be prohibited along the shoreline between West Creek and the beach – the area commonly referred to as “Dog Beach” for its popularity among dog owners.  The Village of Lake George is currently building a dog park at the recreation area on Route 9N near the transfer station. The new facility, which will have separate areas for large (over 50 pounds) and medium / small dogs, is expected to be open by July 4th.  The free Dog Park will be open from dawn until dusk and feature water, shade, and benches. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, March 9, 2017

Explorer Launches Adirondack Photo Contest

We know you have a good shot of the Adirondacks in that phone full of photos. The Adirondack Explorer is beginning a new photo feature, Views of the Park, which will highlight readers and the scenes they love in and around the Adirondacks. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional. Just get out your phone and snap a pic.

The Explorer will provide the theme—the first is “My Dog Loves the Adirondacks” — and you post your photo to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the hashtag #adkexplorerpix » Continue Reading.


Saturday, February 25, 2017

Tim Rowland: Hiking The Cobble With Addie

I enjoy the ongoing debate over leashed v. nonleashed dogs on Adirondack trails, not because I have a strong opinion one way or another, but because I am in the process of teaching a young pup to learn to love the mountain trails as much as I do.

Her name, reflective of the Peaks, is Addie, and her breed is a Bouvier de Flandres. This in itself is slightly problematic, in that when you are trying to pass yourself off as a rugged outdoorsman walking in the footsteps of Old Mountain Phelps, you lose a little face when someone asks the breed of your companion and you are forced to respond that it’s a “BOO-vee-yea d’ FLAWND-rah.”

So to save both of us a little face, I now tell everyone she’s a Belgian War Dog. » Continue Reading.



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