DesertRose said:
I assume you've not had skunk problems?!
No problems with skunks. I have had a couple of racoons once. We were camping with my wifes parents in a park camp ground. As much as I hate the graveled flat, golf cart wood seller, optional area for full hook up, type of camping, we did it anyway to do some wine tours in the area. The camp has no bears and is patroled.
I left his dog food storage container out with a 15lb rock on the lid wedged under the picnic table seat and the ground. I was thinking if any other wondering dogs or racoons came it would not be a problem. In the middle of the night I hear crash and Newman starts barking. I jump out of bed and shine my light looking around, Newman has his body out the front change area but his hind end is still in, I see it's just racoons at the edge of the camp site and say Go get em!
He takes off and chases them out.
In heavy bear areas and all the time out, everything goes in a sealed kitchen only box in the back hatch. If you feel they still may come around bring a zip lock bag of moth balls. Scatter around the camp and pick up when you go. They last several outings.
I also have used a gassy smelling rag hanging from the truck when I forgot the moth balls.
DesertRose said:
What a good dog Newman is, for not running off, too. And lucky - wow!
Thanks, He really is a good dog. He was a little spry the first 2years of age but always has been a real people dog. If another dogs come around he goes for a wag and sniff then comes right back by us as lays down. He likes to say hi but also, yeh, I've had enough leave me alone.
Now he's 10yrs old and is a little less spry but he still can climb a 6hr mountian hike and will be ready for another the next day. He does real good off leash in the city, always on my heal even when other dogs are by or if we have done the walk he will go a head about 20ft but stops at every corner till I say, OK!
He just picks it up with out training or if I do try to teach him something it's like I show him 3times and then knows it.
The neighbor had picked up a kitten a couple of years back. At first the cat was unsure of who he was and did the arch hair up thing. He ended up crouching real low and sniffing. Now after maybe 17 times of being around each other she will walk righ up to him and he puts his front legs flat on the ground hind in air wagging creeping forward and they touch noses, she will rub her head on his. Such a gental mentality.
I couldn't of asked for a better close friend.
If you check out this you will get an Idea of similar traits in Newman. I guess some dogs like to be more human. My sister inlaws dog is a bit well, we'll leave it at that. My other 2 dogs previous to Newman were nothing like this either.
And he was the runt of the litter that no one wanted. We did and we got lucky. Ment to be.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5249518974978628334&q=skidboot&hl=en
Sorry for off topic. Back to regular programing.
Note:
I have tried plastic tarp under the dog bed but it tends to walk around. I find a yellow sleeping pad cut in half and doubled up works good for keeping the wet ground away from the bed and it's extra comfy.
