Dogs at Rides

[Kelli Hjelmeland <kelli@mb.sympatico.ca>]

I'll never forget one of the funniest things I've ever overheard at a
ride. It was at the Great Northern Connection in Manitoba a few years
ago. A rider from Wisconsin was walking through camp where a pack of
good natured dogs were having the time of their lives, and he said "I'm
going to put on a ride where entries are free for horses but people are
charged $10 per dog - it'll make lots of money!"

I too have dogs that love to come to rides, but they stay home unless I
absolutely have no one to look after them. I did have to take one to a
ride in Minnesota. He is a springer spaniel who barks all the time I'm
out riding (because he's tied to the trailer and can't come with me). At
that ride, so that he wouldn't be bothering those left in camp, I
actually paid the ride vet to tranquilize him. When I returned from the
50, he was snoozing happily under the trailer wrapped in blankets. I'll
probably hear some negative comments about this, but I take
responsibility for my animals and try to ensure that they don't affect
other peoples vacation time.

Kelli in Manitoba
AERC #7521


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=