Purple and Paws A few weeks ago, Socks and I escaped the triple-digit heat here in Phoenix and went up to Pinetop-Lakeside with my parents. We stayed in a lovely little cabin in the woods, and Socks enjoyed chasing squirrels, sniffing pine cones, and lounging on our porch. Before that trip, I’d never taken Socks into the woods before. So if you’re about to venture into the pines, be sure to keep the following in mind:
Watch Where You Walk
Just like the desert, the forest is full of sharp needles and tiny rocks waiting to get stuck in your dog’s paws. Be sure to thoroughly check your pup’s paws after a walk and remove any debris, or, better yet, buy some booties to save both of you pain and hassle.
Watch for Wildlife
Know what I think of when I hear ‘the woods’? Bears. Towering, terrifying, lumbering bears. So always pay attention when you’re walking and if you hear rustling or see a large dark shape in the distance, turn around immediately. Bears are not fans of dogs, and you wouldn’t want something horrible happening to both of you.
Beware of Bugs
Bugs love the woods. Mosquitoes, flies, bees, wasps…you name it and I’ve probably swatted it away. If you’re going on a long walk, wear bug spray or take some with you. You might even want to look into bug spray for dogs (although the bugs typically seem to come after me and ignore Socks).
Don’t Venture Out in the Darkness
A midnight walk in the woods. Sounds exciting and romantic, right? Wrong. Especially if you’re walking with a dog. Yes, you could take a flashlight but you still run the risk of tripping over a fallen tree or big rock. You really don’t want to get lost at night in the woods with your dog. Bad, bad, bad idea.
Follow all these tips and you’ll be sure to have a great time in the woods with your furry pal!
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