tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post7333583032129963111..comments2023-05-10T10:36:38.392-04:00Comments on The Adventures of Tom & Atticus: Some Hiking Dogs Are Being Pushed Too FarUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-68302023026408431932014-09-08T17:55:39.263-04:002014-09-08T17:55:39.263-04:00I am very passionate about this, I want to make a ...I am very passionate about this, I want to make a flyer to hand out to hikers I encounter with dogs. I have seen men carrying out big fluffy white poodles at East Fork, San Gabriel Canyon....the canyon is in extreme sun, little shade, they don't carry enough water for their dogs...little tiny dogs....please....WHY? i hear others..."Oh how cute your dog hikes" ...not so cute after they collapse.Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395910859715779822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-48132968705433473612014-08-18T12:23:29.255-04:002014-08-18T12:23:29.255-04:00Thanks for wise thoughts. We have hiked quite a b...Thanks for wise thoughts. We have hiked quite a bit in the Whites, but not with a dog. We now have a dog (8 years). We would like to start hiking with our dog. We always carefully review trail guides and maps so we know what we're in for - in your view, what trail characteristics should we be cautious to take a dog on, i.e. length, boulder climbing, mossy rocks, stream crossings, etc. I guess it should be intuitive, but I would appreciate some experienced guidance, if you would be so kind...Elizabethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-24626655663155182372014-08-16T15:33:17.579-04:002014-08-16T15:33:17.579-04:00Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ...Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ... Great axiom for all of us especially our little friends that can not actually speak..Probably a good idea to learn how they speak to us Just a thought for ya all Great thought!! Carter W Raenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-28924461997036288632014-08-16T14:32:50.868-04:002014-08-16T14:32:50.868-04:00It always disturbs me to see people using their do...It always disturbs me to see people using their dogs as an extension of themselves. They don't love their dogs; they love themselves. One night years ago, I was walking down a street on my way home. A man cut through a parking lot with a pit bull pup. He started walking towards me. On the other side of the street was a woman with a mini-poodle. The two dogs saw each other and wanted to go sniff and say hello. The man let his dog move across the street, and when the got close to the woman and poodle, he jerked on the pup's collar and pulled his front paws off the sidewalk, saying, "Sic, sic!" The woman grabbed her poodle. I called out to the man and told him he was a real sick dude. He yelled something at me, but I kept walking. Thanks for all your posts and stories about Atticus. I'm getting close to retirement, and I'd dearly like to move to somewhere down here that I can afford and will allow dogs. M. Barbara Mulrinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-91118888096018076422014-08-16T13:11:30.518-04:002014-08-16T13:11:30.518-04:00Thank you, Tom, for speaking out for dogs. As an a...Thank you, Tom, for speaking out for dogs. As an artist who does art shows & a hiker on the trails, I see lots of miserable dogs places where they really don't want to be. I so appreciate you asking people to stop and smell the wilderness and observe their dogs and see what they want.Carla Foxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-37149534342059833532014-08-16T12:52:40.543-04:002014-08-16T12:52:40.543-04:00I go on Views from the Top to read about hiking. C...I go on Views from the Top to read about hiking. Couple of years ago we ran into a guy coming off Washington in the winter while we were still going up. He had a big dog. It was nasty out and the guy talked about how the weather didn't bother his dog at all and how the dog loved it. He continued down and we went up. That's when we saw a lot of bloody paw prints in the snow. :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-66696427494113533882014-08-16T12:25:18.842-04:002014-08-16T12:25:18.842-04:00Good on you, Tom & Atticus! I'm sure it wa...Good on you, Tom & Atticus! I'm sure it wasn't easy calling out some of your peers in the hiking community. I can't imagine this will be popular with them but what you wrote is very necessary to read. I hope all hikers share it. - Brian & Sue Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-23101474824840206742014-08-16T12:18:28.744-04:002014-08-16T12:18:28.744-04:00Red lining with a dog is as inconsiderate as it ge...Red lining with a dog is as inconsiderate as it gets. How selfish are these people?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-26916446848715616292014-08-16T12:08:24.545-04:002014-08-16T12:08:24.545-04:00Thank you for speaking up about this Tom. I've...Thank you for speaking up about this Tom. I've noticed the same thing lately when reading the hiking websites. It's sad what some are doing to their dogs. I understand the ignorance part of it because we all learn in the beginning, but for those who aren't new to hiking there's no excuse for bring your dogs on certain trails. It seems selfish to me.Claranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-91047788334621432782014-08-16T12:07:13.027-04:002014-08-16T12:07:13.027-04:00Bravo!Bravo!Karen Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-28879174303061562012014-08-13T17:04:07.158-04:002014-08-13T17:04:07.158-04:00I'd like to add to your comments about hikers ...I'd like to add to your comments about hikers - comments about bikers. I take my dogs mountain biking with me - not the extreme sort, and they're free, not leased - but I always follow my dogs; they dictate the speed, not me. Needless to say, I'm breaking a lot on the downhill. However, I am not the norm. Most people I see who ride with their dogs have their dogs trailing them, trying to keep up. Those are the people I'd like to reverse their position with the dogs and see how they feel. I always am concerned for the heavily panting dog who's a ways behind and wants to catch up but can't. Often, these people also don't have adequate water for the dog either. <br />So, as Tom feels about hikers, and I agree with him, I have similar feelings about bikers.Candicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905622296350871483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-39055030136772572742014-08-12T13:30:14.603-04:002014-08-12T13:30:14.603-04:00Hi Tom,
Only way I can reach out to you.
Big fan o...Hi Tom,<br />Only way I can reach out to you.<br />Big fan of your writing.<br />My family was in your area in mid July<br />and encountered you and Atti as you were heading off one day.<br />My wife is a photographer and she put together a photo book of our vacation.<br />All shots of the White Mountains in all their splendor.<br />She and I thought it was a great idea to send you a copy.<br />It is being held at White Birch Books for you.<br />Hope you enjoy it.<br />All the best.<br />The Combs family.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597571055459898924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-57061560426537201092014-08-11T16:04:47.756-04:002014-08-11T16:04:47.756-04:00Thank you Tom for this article. Thank you Tom for this article. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07473798197629377292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-18189846456251035312014-08-09T19:56:49.109-04:002014-08-09T19:56:49.109-04:00Again you share the words and beliefs of those of ...Again you share the words and beliefs of those of us who treat our four-legged friends truly as best friends...not objects...children...possessions and I thank you for doing so. You always have the consideration, care and health of Atticus and Sweet Will at hand, not the expectations of others. You communicate with them, as I do with mine. I thank you for being such a grand advocate. We are blessed to read your stories. Atticus and Will are blessed, because you are YOU! Thank you. You are such an inspiration, along with Atticus and that precious Sweet Will! Much LOVE TO ALL!Barbie Perkins-Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665224022963329838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-21367062681955659442014-08-09T19:51:48.231-04:002014-08-09T19:51:48.231-04:00lists are for people. the dog loves being in the o...lists are for people. the dog loves being in the outdoors with its people.... leave the list. love the journey. take care of your best friend. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-54707360581008068972014-08-08T05:29:12.370-04:002014-08-08T05:29:12.370-04:00Hi Tom
Was recommended your book by a beautiful l...Hi Tom <br />Was recommended your book by a beautiful lady in MN <br />I live in Australia and was so inspired I will be visiting your Mountains next year. You are so right there is Dog owners then there is people who have a four legged family member our dogs we feel sick if they are out of sight let alone use them to get a badge or our photo on a web site is very sad, In Australia dogs are band now from all National parks let's hope people smarten up so that doesn't happen to you, <br />Best wishes <br />William & Allyse <br />Charli & Charlie Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08525045924548189036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-54427543612808135402014-08-07T17:41:04.153-04:002014-08-07T17:41:04.153-04:00Well said. I hope the AMC agrees and complies.
Bes...Well said. I hope the AMC agrees and complies.<br />Best to you, Atticus and Will.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18077283449811704177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795530.post-58761061709735020212014-08-07T15:23:15.421-04:002014-08-07T15:23:15.421-04:00Good for You Tom for always giving Atticus the cho...Good for You Tom for always giving Atticus the choice and never putting him in harms way. I loved that about the book "Following Atticus" as I read it, you never put Atticus in danger and you always made sure he had the medical attention he needed. Many people have dogs (and children) who shouldn't. It is evident in the way the animals behave or misbehave that they would be better with a different home. They are like props and/or accessories some people need to feel good about themselves. I love most animals, dogs & cats especially because they are more domestic. I don't have a dog right now because I don't feel I have the time to show it the kind of time & attention it would need so it wouldn't be fair in my opinion. I do have 2 rescue cats to love and most people know cats are more independent so they are fine with me not being around as much. I can not imagine taking a puppy on a mountain hike. I took my Newfoundland to obedience class when he was 4 months old since I knew he was going to be extra large. The instructor was great and told me when Shadow gets tired he will let you know and you are free to stop before the hour is finished. Once a week we would go to the class where she showed us what to do and then we took our dogs through the paces, Shadow would last about 30-40 minutes and just lay down...ok we're done. We did our homework from week to week. practicing what we were taught and by the time the 10 week course was finished he could make it through the entire class if he wanted to but sometimes he would just stop & lay down. I knew and he knew I knew he was done for that class. It was about respect and love that I never tried to push him for more. He was a great friend to me for 10 years and lived up to his name by being my shadow. He taught me as I taught him and eventually we could go anywhere in my little village without a leash or collar. I totally respect the way you treat your two 4-legged friends and I find myself wishing for another dog someday. The unconditional love of an animal is hard to compare but I also know I have to have the time to devote so I just keep loving Atticus & Will from afar and enjoying your stories. <br />I'm glad you are going to try to help those dogs who do not have a voice and maybe save a life or two due to over zealous owners trying to be famous. Onward my Friend & thanks for all your great insight!Donna Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09829277120811840329noreply@blogger.com