Deer Season is Here

Gracie and I were excited for a nice hike Sunday afternoon.  As she raced on the trail, we heard a gunshot that was REALLY close.  We both turned and ran toward the house.  Clearly, hunters were already out and about a day early.

On Monday, November 19, hunters can use guns now to hunt deer.  Archery season had been in effect since September, but it takes a lot more skill and deliberation to kill with a bow-and-arrow than it does with a gun.  In North Carolina, the “gun season” started Monday and ends December 8. 

It is time to break out the blaze orange.  Gracie has a little orange vest.  Last Christmas, Rescue Daddy bought me a very nice and bright orange vest like the ones used by hunters.  Hopefully, you can see both of us from miles around.

If you are out and about, trying to walk off all that pumpkin pie, be careful.  Accidents happen every year where hunters mistake people for deer.  Pull on the fluorescent clothes and make a lot of noise in the woods.  Be careful!

Rescue Mommy

Ruffwear Web Master Harness

Company website: http://www.ruffwear.com/
Cost around $50, depending upon size and vendor

I want to start this review by saying this harness is expensive ($50 or more) and hard core. If your little buddy’s idea of a long walk is strolling around the yard, this harness is not for you. This harness is a great choice for hiking or, believe it or not, dogs with mobility issues (more on that later).

I bought the harness because I read it helped with pulling. While it does not eliminate leash pulling, it significantly reduces it. I also noticed that Gracie did not jump on me or other people as much as usual when she wore it.

The harness firmly attaches to Gracie’s body. Take a look at the three separate connection points:

I honestly do not know how a dog could slip out of this harness. Of course, where there is a will, there is a way!

Now, take a close look at the handle on the back of the harness:

If your dog had mobility issues, the handle would be great for helping your furry friend climb stairs or get in a car. In Gracie’s case, it came in handy when she was obstinate. I could easily grab the handle and lift her into my arms.

The harness materials are very top notch. If you are going to pay $50 for a harness, they should be! The harness has lots of padding, and the fabric seems to be very durable.

The back section is really stiff. I hope it gets softer over time. It definitely was not comfortable enough for Gracie to wear the harness while we rode in the car. I strapped her into the harness once we arrived at the Estate.

The fit is also a bit of a challenge. I read reviews that said the harnesses were larger than regular size. Gracie usually wears a medium in a harness.

I started with an extra small. I could not fit it over Gracie’s head. The second harness was a small. It fit better. I am still trying to figure out how to adjust the back section, though.

If you cannot find the harness at a local pet supply store, I recommend ordering it through a site that offers free shipping and/or returns. (Zappos.com sometimes carries certain sizes of the harness.) Since getting the fit just right is an issue, the free returns come in handy.

Again, I want to emphasize this harness is not for the casual walker. If you have an energetic dog who loves hiking or an elderly dog who needs a helping hand, this harness could be for you.

Rescue Mommy

Outward Hounds Hiking Club

Is starting an exercise program part of your New Year’s resolutions? Well, I have a great workout suggestion for you. If you live in the Asheville area, you might want to check out the Outward Hounds Hiking Club.

The Club meets on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at the Brother Wolf shelter on Glendale Avenue. You will be paired with a dog from the shelter. The group will visit popular trails in the area such as Rattlesnake Lodge. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic way to get a little exercise while getting to spend some time with a dog who could use some exercise too? For more information, contact Brother Wolf at 828-505-3440 or e-mail volunteer@bwar.org.

If you do not live in this area, check with rescue groups or shelters in your area. They always need someone to walk the dogs. They may have a similar program there too.

Happy hiking!

Rescue Mommy

Watch Out for the Hunters!

According to an article that appeared in our local paper, deer hunters can now use guns, starting Monday, November 21 and ending December 10. Here is the link to the article: http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20111120/NEWS01/311200058/Deer-hunters-guns-hit-woods-Monday?odyssey=tab

Please be sure to wear blaze orange if you are hiking in the woods, even when you are on private property. You can also buy a blaze orange vest for your buddy, something I strongly recommend. Let’s all be safe out there as we try to enjoy the wonderful fall weather and walk off all that Thanksgiving food!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Weekend Hiking Adventures

If you are a follower of our blogs, you know that we like to take Gracie for hikes in the woods. She loves being outdoors. She enjoys seeing new places and burning off that trademark terrier energy. No mountain is too steep; no hike is ever too long for Gracie.

When most people think of outdoorsy, hiking dogs, I doubt Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and tea cup poodles come to mind. That is a mistake. Most dogs love to go for hikes. While you will have to make some concessions to their size, there is no reason you cannot take along your smaller buddy with you when you go for hikes.

We read an interesting article on thebark.com  about hiking with smaller dogs. Here is the link: http://www.thebark.com/content/tips-hiking-small-dogs. We hope the article encourages you to head outdoors your petite pooch and enjoy the wonderful fall weather. Happy hiking!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Blaze Orange is the New Black

Deer and bear hunting season is in full swing here in North Carolina. The owners of the property around us do not allow hunting on their property. Unfortunately, a few hunters have been known to stray across property lines. Since we have heard gun shots around us, we decided we would rather be safe than sorry.

My usual dog walking uniform could be mistaken for either a deer (tan pants) or a bear (black coat, especially with the hood raised). During hunting season, I wear a blaze orange vest and sometimes a blaze orange toboggan, if it is cold. Gracie even has a blaze orange vest meant for a hunting dog. From a distance, her white body could be mistaken for a deer tail.

I know you are probably thinking, “How in the world could anyone mistake a person or a little white dog for a deer or bear??” Every year, some poor person loses his or her life to a hunter who thought the person was a deer or bear. I do not know how someone could make the mistake, but they do.

If you are going to be in the woods, it is important to take some precautions. Buy the brightest, most gaudy articles of clothing you can find. Sure, you will look awful.  Would you rather look cute and be shot or look like a giant, fluorescent pumpkin and be alive?

Don’t forget to outfit your buddy too. (This is especially important if you have a large black dog.) The same places that sell hunting gear should have fluorescent vests for your dog.

It is also important to know your surroundings. Are you hiking on a property where people can hunt? What animals can hunters kill when you are hiking? When does hunting season end in your area? Yes, it is gruesome information. It is necessary for your safety, though.

Where can you find this information? Visit the website of your state’s wildlife resource management department; in North Carolina, go to ncwildlife.org. The site may not be able to tell you which private property owners allow hunting. You can learn more about hunting season times and public lands that are being used for hunting, though, so you can stay safe.

Let’s all be extra careful out there!

Rescue Mommy

I Love Fall Too

I totally agree with Gracie. Fall is my favorite season. Few things are still in bloom, so a stroll in the woods does not result in clogged sinuses. The heat and humidity of summer has departed. The frigid, bone-chilling temps and mounds of snow have yet to arrive. It is perfect.

We have a few precious weeks before winter arrives. Get outside this weekend and spend some time with your buddy. Before we know it, a 5-minute stroll will require 50 layers of clothing. Let’s enjoy it while we can!

Rescue Mommy