Easy Like Sunday...Living With Your Pet Tips-How To Keep Your Dog Happy And Healthy On The Trail.

Since today is Earth Day-our country's 42 Earth Day celebration-we thought we'd bring you some tips for hiking with your dog in wilderness areas-or really, any place outside the confines of a city where you and your canine pal will be on trails and away from immediate veterinary care. This excellent article from our friends at The Wilderness Society shares detailed advice on how to both prepare and safely enjoy outdoor (and we're not talking strolling around your urban block) adventures with your pooch.

We particularly liked the recommendation to "condition" both you and your dog before an extended outing, and to learn the rules about hiking with your four-legged companion in whatever area you choose-for example, "many national forests have trails that require dogs to be leashed"(which the author recommends, regardless), and others that don't allow dogs at all. We know that in our neck of the woods, for example, our state parks allow leashed-only dogs on the regular hiking trails, but we canines are banned from the nature preserve trails.

Of course, all dogs need to be properly fed and hydrated when hiking long distances, but there are certain dog breeds that will likely require some extra care, like those who might overheat easily because of  extra thick fur or physiology-like a pushed in snout or super short legs, for example.

The article also provides handy links for preparing your own canine first aid kit, and recommends entire books on hiking with your dog. And there's lots of information in both this article and from your local, state and federal government agencies that oversee our parks and designated wilderness areas, about traveling with your dog to our national outdoor treasures.

Although there's lots of planning and preparation to do before embarking on a trail hike (do you have any idea how long Parental Unit takes just to take me on our daily urban walks?), we know that it will be well worth your effort. It's always easier to enjoy the journey and return home safely if you're prepared...

Happy Earth Day to you all! Let us know what special outdoor events you and your pooch are planning for today-we'd love to know!

Note: This post was sponsored, in part, by Readers Digest.

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