BEST HIKES WITH DOGS: TEXAS HILL COUNTRY AND COAST
Written by Laura Rice   
May 03, 2007
MELISSA GASKILL BOOK SIGNING AT DOGOLOGIE IN FREDERICKSBURG
BEST HIKES WITH DOGS: TEXAS HILL COUNTRY AND COAST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 03, 2007 -- /prbuzz/ --  Plan a dog day out! Pack up Fido and a few friends and head to the hills! Spring is here and it’s time to burn off some of those dog biscuits. Make the experience of hiking fun for you and your dog with proper planning. Help is here and just in time for an adventure to Enchanted Rock. Author and expert hiker, Melissa Gaskill, will be in Fredericksburg at the Dogologie Store on Saturday, May 5th, from Noon to 3 pm.

Melissa Gaskill has spent more than 20 years hiking and camping with her dogs throughout Texas. In the new guidebook, BEST HIKES WITH DOGS: Texas Hill Country and Gulf Coast, she shares her 55 favorite hikes in the area that are sure to delight both you and your dog. You’ll discover the steep granite of Enchanted Rock, wide-open areas with brush and cactus, the smooth, flat shores of the Gulf, and much more. Make plans today to pick up a signed copy of the book and get some answers to your questions about hiking with dogs.

For each trail in BEST HIKES WITH DOGS: Texas Hill Country and Gulf Coast, advance alert is given where there are canine concerns to watch for, information on leash regulations, the best canine hiking season, and more. Most hikes offer shade, and frequent water, too, to keep your dog cool in the warm Texas climate. Additional features include what to pack for your pooch—the Ten Canine Essentials—and “What Goes in a Doggy First-Aid Kit?,” plus maps and elevation profiles for each hike.

BEST HIKES WITH DOGS: Texas Hill Country and Gulf Coast is part of the popular Best Hikes with Dogs series. Other regional titles include: Arizona, Las Vegas, Southern California, San Francisco Bay Area, Colorado, Western Washington, Oregon, the Inland Northwest, and New Hampshire and Vermont.

Ten Essentials for Your Dog
1. Obedience training. Before you set foot on a trail, make sure your dog is trained and can be trusted to behave when faced with other hikers, other dogs, wildlife, and an assortment of strange scents and sights in the back country.
2. Doggy backpack. Let dogs carry their own gear and water.
3. First-aid kit. See excerpt below for a list of recommended items.
4. Dog food/treats. Carry more food than your dog normally consumes since he will be burning more calories than normal, and if you end up having to spend an extra night out, you need to keep the pup fed, too. Trail treats serve the same purpose for the dog as for you—quick energy and a pick-me-up during a strenuous hike.
5. Water and water bowl. Don’t count on water along the trail for your dog. Pack enough to meet the dog’s needs, too.
6. Leash and collar or harness. Even if your dog is absolutely trained to voice command and stays at heel without a leash, leashes are usually required by law or just common courtesy or for the safety of your dog. Have one handy at all times.
7. Insect repellent. One made for humans and one made for dogs, or a product that is safe for both of you.
8. ID tags and photograph. Your dog should always wear identification, and microchips are a great idea, as well. A vet injects a tiny encoded microchip under the skin, and if your dog ever gets lost and is picked up by animal control or taken to a vet’s office, a quick pass with a scanner will reveal the chip and allow the staff to identify the dog and notify you. (Note that the process requires registration of the chip and notification if you move.) Microchips are so prevalent now that many vets and animal shelters automatically scan every unknown dog to check for chips. The photo of your dog goes in your pack and can be used to show to authorities and to make flyers to post if the dog is lost.
9. Dog booties. These can be used to protect your dog’s feet from rough ground or harsh vegetation. They are also good for keeping bandages in place if your dog damages its pads.
10. Compact roll of plastic bags and trowel. Use the bags to clean up after your dog. When conditions warrant, you can use the trowel to take care of dog waste. Just pretend you are a cat—dig a hole several inches deep (well off the trail), deposit the waste, and fill in the hole.
Adapted from Best Hikes with Dogs: Texas Hill Country & Gulf Coast by Melissa Gaskill.

“You need a first-aid kit for your dog, even if it is just the bare essentials, for even a short nature hike,” explains Melissa Gaskill. Anyone heading out into the wilderness with a canine companion should carry a comprehensive canine first-aid kit.

Melissa Gaskill has written for newspapers and magazines for more than 15 years on a variety of topics, including travel, outdoors, parenting, and more. Her two trail companions are Keeper, a Labrador Retriever, and Max, a mixed-breed adopted from an animal shelter.

For more information on the book signing, email Dogologie at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it , call 830-997-5844, or visit the website at www.dogologie.com

xxx
About the Press Release
Plan a dog day out! Make the experience of hiking fun for you and your dog. Author and expert hiker, Melissa Gaskill, will be in Fredericksburg, Texas at the Dogologie Store on Store from Noon - 3 pm


 
< Prev   Next >