As Roxy and I hike the Appalachian Trail, many people casually mention that they would love to hike the trail with their dogs. Hiking with a four-legged companion is rewarding, but it completely changes the dynamic of trail life. Before you set out on an adventure with your furry best friend, be sure you are truly prepared for the responsibility it entails. When you choose to hike with a dog, you no longer get to hike your own hike, you are hiking your dog's hike.
My name's Roxy, and I've decided today would be better spent playing fetch instead of walking down this dirt path.
For me, hiking Roxy's Appalachian Trail adventure has been immensely joyful and entertaining. Having her as a companion has forced me to be more easy going and flexible. I allow her to dictate the flow of our daily hikes, and she fills each day with fun. No matter how hard the trail gets, or how brutal the weather is, I always have Roxy to share the experience with. Living in the woods for months can be trying, but knowing I have a loyal companion by my side makes even the most challenging days bearable.
Hiking is hard, let's just take a nap.
Keeping Roxy well cared for is always at the forefront of my thoughts. The Appalachian Trail is not just a leisurely stroll through the woods. It is over 2,000 miles of rugged terrain, up and down mountains, across rivers, and over jagged rocks. The most important part of our backcountry adventure is making sure Roxy is in peak physical condition. This is made possible by the best dog food ever: Merrick's Backcountry Raw Infused Kibble. On the AT, Roxy is basically living like a wild animal, so it makes sense to feed her a dog food developed to match the dietary needs of her ancestors. The grain-free, protein rich Backcountry kibble is perfectly formulated for Roxy's high energy lifestyle.
Lunch on a mountain top. Roxy needs the best dog food ever to get her to these great heights.
On the trail Roxy only eats dry kibble because it is easy to carry. Stopping in town means it is time for a special treat for Roxy: a can of Merrick's Backcountry recipe dog food.
Being powered by Merrick's Backcountry line of dog food has allowed Roxy to tackle even the most challenging obstacles. Her endurance and energy levels continue to amaze me. Remarkably, after almost 2 months on the trail, Roxy has only lost 5 pounds of body weight. Back home in the "real" world and on an ordinary dog food diet, Roxy struggle to maintain a decent body weight. She was a picky eater and was always very active, so when we went on backpacking trips she always ended up with unhealthy weight loss. Since switching to Merrick's Backcountry dog food for the AT, Roxy is healthier and happier than ever.
Roxy channels her inner mountain goat while traversing a challenging portion of the Appalachian Trail.
Speaking of happiness, if you choose to hike with a dog, it is crucial that you always remember to find time to let your dog be a dog. You might think hiking up a mountain and being rewarded with a gorgeous view is the most satisfying feeling in the world, but your dog doesn't care about views.
We walked uphill for 2 hours in the heat so I could sit on a rock while my human takes pictures. Cool dude, when do we get to play?
No matter how hard your hike is or how dreadful the weather is, make sure to find time every day to do something your dog really enjoys: a game of fetch, a roll in tall grass, a swim in a creek. Every dog is different, but no matter what, if you are attentive to their needs and make time to fulfill them, you'll end up with a healthy, happy hiking companion.
To learn more about the outstanding line of Merrick's Backcountry dog food visit their website: http://bit.ly/1GMOWbM
My human seems to think water falling down rocks is fun to look at, but look at this awesome stick I found to play with!
Grass! Glorious grass! We walk day after day on dirt and rocks, so it feels so good to finally have grass to roll on.
No rawhide bones in the backcountry, so this log will have to work as a chew toy.
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