Dogs (Wolves) in the Desert
- May 2008
- Dogs Uncategorized
Hi Steph, My name is Pierce Adams. I must admit it is kinda weird emailing somebody I don’t know at all, let alone such a high profile as yourself, but whatever, we are all human. Anyway, I checked out your blog, and I had a question, concerning dogs. I recently adopted a dog, some sort of red-wolf husky hybrid. He is real pretty, but anyway, I was wondering what it is like traveling around Moab and the Creek with a dog. I have yet to make the mecca in that direction, but fall is coming and I am going. You seem to know the area and love dogs, so what’s up? Is it cool to bring ’em along? He is fairly chill, as chill as a dog with any wolf in him can be.
On another note, if you like to hear from people and their thoughts, I wanted to say that what you and Dean do is very inspirational to me, blah, blah blah, I feel too cliche here, but you do. It is great to see a prominent couple that sends hard stuff, jumps off of it and such. You two are living the dream (at least mine) and I hope you continue to do so.
I am glad you are so pro dogs, dogs are fun. I was a sled dog tour guide last winter in Bend, OR and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I got to work with Alaskan huskies, many of them Iditarod veterans. They were some of the coolest animals I have ever been around. They would amaze me everyday with their energy.
Anyhow, thanks for taking the time to read this, I hope it finds you well,
Sincerely,
Pierce Adams
Dear Pierce,
I hope my friend Lisa will see this, as she has LOTS of experience with wolves and huskies in the desert. One reason I love Moab so much is that it’s a very easy place to be a dog. My friend Jimmie Dunn always used to say “anyplace that isn’t good for dogs isn’t good for people either!” So far, I think he is on to something there 🙂 Moab and Indian Creek are about as nice for dogs as anyplace I’ve ever been, so you will have a great time with your little wolf dog.
I’m sure you are all too familiar with the tendency of huskies and wolves to go for epic adventures and only come back when they are good and ready. Be careful, there are lots and lots of far-off canyons for him to roam off into and refuse to hear you calling for hours and hours….. I’d also recommend making your trip as late in the fall as you can. It can still be pretty hot in the desert in September, and those poor northern dogs roast with their double coat. You’ll have better climbing temps too, if you can come in October/early November.
I hope you two have a great time!!
xx Steph
[…] Continue Reading […]
Beautiful dogs. I’ll be back to read up on it some more. Great Blog!
Dear Pierce,
Lisa here, of Hakuna and Sparky (pictured above) fame! 🙂
On sled dogs…
Our Mantra has always been…
Rule # 1.) Never trust Hakuna (wolfie)
Rule # 2.) Refer to rule 1
Welcome to wolfie dog-landia!
So…..
On sled dogs in the desert…
Don’t be afraid of leashes! Even the most seemingly obliging voiced trained husky/malamute/wolfie will run when it feels like it! And they suffer from chronic selective deafness! It is not humane to let your wolfie run free and risk him being shot by someone who thinks he’s a dangerous wolf when sniffing around their chickens or bunnies!
Also remember as Steph mentioned, they evaporatively cool (not unlike a swamp cooler) from their mouths so if its both hot and humid, they need to keep a moderate or slow pace. Even if it is not “hot” to you – 70 deg and Sparky loved the heat and would CHOOSE to lie in the full baking sun. Kuna, not so much.
Though it will inevitably be suggested, Do Not be tempted to shave him! Double coated dogs can cool effectively with a well brushed double coat and apparently it will just grow back fluffier if you shaved (though I have heard anecdotal evidence to the contrary here in Moab, but that’s with dogs based out of a house and cooled often in a creek…)
Very imp.: They NEED a strong alfa influence or they will bowl you over, so don’t be afraid to be the kind but FIRM guide and when necessary, disciplinarian to your husky mutt! Check out the Monks’ book, How to be Your Dogs Bets Friend, for good beta on all that jazz…
Enjoy your furry friend!
Long time since I posted that question about wolves in the desert, but I figured I would send in a picture.
Ketter, aka ‘bootsie’ aka, crazy ass wolf mix
[IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/originalpmac/100_1867.jpg[/IMG]
he is BEAUTIFUL!!!
thanks for the photo!!
🙂
Hi I’m looking for a wolf -dog for a photo shoot in Central Oregon in mid June.
Anybody know of any available in that area.
Thanks- Mark Fristad Productions 503 680-6807
Something to bear in mind… coyotes are shot indiscriminately across most of the US, and wolves attract a lot of hatred. I might suggest putting blaze orange on your critters when they’re going to be running loose… make sure someone knows they are pets and not predators.
that is a great suggestion–especially during “hunting season” it’s good to have an orange bandanna or mesh vest on them