As you know, this blog is all about exploring the great outdoors of Los Angeles from a canine perspective. Nothing is more rewarding than bonding with your pack members while enjoying the wonders of the world around us. But to make the most out of your time together and to help avoid some of the potentially negative consequences of visiting Mother Nature, there are some basic items every pack leader should have to make sure your adventure is safe as well as fun.
*ESSENTIAL GEAR:
You'll need a way to carry your stuff around and a BACKPACK is the best way to do it. There are many styles and sizes to choose from but the only absolute requirement is that the shoulder straps are padded. Some models have a waist strap too for carrying heavier loads but that's not necessary for most day trips. There are also backpacks for dogs that let us carry our own stuff but remember not to overload us and be careful of what you put in there; I just might jump in the river and I'm pretty sure your smart phone isn't water proof. Just sayin'...
By far the single most important thing you should put in your backpack is WATER. Make sure there's enough for everyone, including the dog(s). Its the heaviest thing you'll probably carry, but nothing will end a fun time quicker than running out of water; and unless you want your canine companion to drink from your water bottle, you'll need a WATER DISH just for them. There are many brands of lightweight, collapsible fabric bowls to choose from or you could get my pack leader's favorite, the expandable plastic kind.
We'll also need some SNACKS. We burn a lot of calories while were out and about and a mid-trip energy boost is a must. My pack leader usually brings a couple of my favorite cookies or some cooked chicken for me to nosh on.
A small FIRST AID KIT is something that people forget to bring with them all the time but is worth its weight in cookies if you or your dog get hurt. Cuts, scrapes, stings, twisted joints and a variety of other minor injuries can be easily dealt with if you have some basic supplies. The things you'll find in a first aid kit for people will also work for the dog; no need for two different kits.
Of course you'll need POOP BAGS and a bag to put any trash you accumulate into. Never leave anything behind that wasn't already there. In fact, do something good and take a piece of someone else's trash you find on your adventure and put that in your trash bag to help clean up the place.
Last and by no means least, you need a MAP or some sort of information that will prevent you from getting lost. Some places are easy to navigate while others can be quite confusing. GPS works great for this but you may not be able to get a signal everywhere. If relying on GPS, make sure its fully charged before you start your journey.
Don't be one of those people we hear about on the news that required an expensive rescue just because your an unprepared fool. Its selfish and your putting the people rescuing you at risk.
*THINGS TO REMEMBER
Tell someone where you're going. If you have a problem and don't return on time, somebody will know your missing and will be able to tell the authorities where you might be.
Do some research about the place your going. It will decrease the chances of something going wrong and will enhance your trip by making it easier to identify the plants, animals, structures and geology you may encounter along the way.
If something goes wrong, don't panic. A level head is your best defense and will keep your canine companion from getting upset...remember that we are the undisputed masters of understanding human emotion and body language.
HAVE FUN. If you're unsure about how to have fun, watch your dog; they're really good at it.
See you on the trail!
Chloe Canine-Angeleno
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