My dog monty wants to come home to the gathering too. Is anyone bringing a dog or know anything about whether or not dogs are welcome? We are heading out of DC/NOVA about 1 am july 2 if anyone is looking for a lift.
I'm not sure about the new locale...but generally dogs are welcome to come to the gathering. Just keep them on a leash...and make sure it has its shots. There are a pack of dogs that like to roam and who knows what kind of disease they mght have. I was going to bring my dog, but I think he will be too big of a pain for me to bring!
I can promise you that Monty will be better off staying at a friend or relative's house while you come to the gathering. Yes, many people will bring their animals to the gathering, but every year dozens of dogs become lost, hungry, and neglected. Most people love their animals, as I'm sure you love Monty, but dogs have a pack instinct and like nothing better than to break away from their owners (guardians) and pack up. Every year at the national we have problems with packs of dogs causing mischief, not to mention the clean-up crew has to find homes for all the lost or abandoned animals. Personally, I would prefer that the dog owners would leave their dogs at home and sometimes I have a hard time remaining polite to irresponsible dog owners.
I've seen way too many dog fights at gatherings! People seem to like pitbull and rotweiler mixes in particular, and they can be especially bad. And they might just jump on the ones that are on their leashs. I've also seen dogs come up against things they were unfamilliar with in the woods such as PORCUPINES, poison snakes, etc., and get in serious trouble. So unless you want to be connected to your dog by the hip the entire time you are there, I'd strongly recommend you leave it home.
i love seeing dogs at gatherings, but the truth is theres just too many..& some people are ignorant about just letting them fight. last year i saw a really nasty fight & afterwards 1 dog loked dead..luckily it was just in shock or something & revived..but with that many dogs sometimes they can get hurt bring them if you have to & will be responcible but leave them if you can.
Well, it depends, I guess. Is your dog friendly? And how much time do you want to spend taking care of your dog? You can do it wrong, of course. Lots of people do it wrong and end up ruining other people's gatherings or getting their dogs hurt. Or at least risking it. But if you want to do it right, having a dog at a gathering is kinda like having a kid there. It takes constant attention, all the time. And that makes it a little difficult to have sex.
With Monty at a trusted friend's house, both you and Monty will have a better time. Dogs can be a source of extra chores for you at the gathering. Also, make sure that Monty has all of his shots if you do decide to bring him. RAP 107 was written on the subject of dogs. Here's the link: http://rainbowguide.info/Raps/RAPeng.php?id=12
Thanks for the info everybody. Monty is not into the pack thing, but curious about other animals. Very very human friendly. I am a responsible friend to my pet, and planned to have him on me at all times. We have a dog park near our hosue where he goes all the time so he is used to social settings. Rocky, I'd have a hard time being polite to less responsible pet owners as well, but that's me anywhere not just at a gathering. I secondly agree that it is like having a child with you, and that is how this dog is treated, as a member of our family. My main concern is thinking about if he got lost for some reason, how sad that would be for the both of us. I'm going to see what I can work out, but thank you for expressing your thoughts. it amkes it easier for me to decide what to do.
rumor has it that at cleanup last year there was a pack of about 500 rainbow dogs that FS removed by lethal measures.
oh, and i also remember visiting a "Dog Soup" kitchen at Michigan '02 where lost dogs there would be taken to be transformed into meals for the clean-up crew omnis. Maybe they were just putting on a hoax but who knows?
A pack of 500 "rainbow" dogs....No way dude .....I mean, just imagine a pack of dogs that size!!!!! As far as feeding dogs to people.....ever been to China Buffet??
