OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Dogged Pursuits

Check out these bare-bones tips for better enjoying
the outdoors with your favorite canine

BY ANNE MULLER

Jordan's owner is following an important rule of keeping pets leashed while visiting state parks.

The scenes are serene. You and your dog walk a trail, canoe lazily across a lake and watch the flames of your campfire flicker and grow dim. No doubt due to your companion's keen sense of sight, hearing and smell, you're more aware of some of nature's goings-on than you would have been had you left your dog at home. But the best of scenarios calls for the best of planning. To help ensure that your outdoor getaway will result in an enjoyable time for all, follow these guidelines. Visit your veterinarian first. Your dog's rabies vaccination needs to be up-to-date for any close encounters he may experience with raccoons or other animals. You'll also want to ask your vet about other precautions before exposing your dog to diseases and parasites found outdoors. As a responsible pet owner, you've no doubt had your dog tested for heartworm, a parasite spread by mosquitoes. While treatment for this potentially fatal disease can be expensive and risky, heartworm prevention is easy and reasonably priced. Your vet can also recommend the most appropriate flea prevention or treatment program for your pet. Many flea products also will help with controlling ticks, which can transmit debilitating diseases such as Lyme disease. Because dogs bitten by a Lyme disease-infected tick face the same threat of illness as their human owners, you should seek your vets advice about the appropriateness of your pet being vaccinated against Lyme disease. Many vets suggest applying a tick repellent before any hiking or camping trip. Finally, as part of your visit to your veterinarian, ask for an assessment of your dogs overall health to see if he can handle increasing physical demands.

Make sure your dog is up for an excursion. If your best friend is a "couch poochtato," it would be animal cruelty to take him on a long or arduous hike. Recognize that all weekend athletes, dogs included, need to undergo conditioning before undertaking strenuous activity. Work out by taking him for progressively longer walks in your neighborhood or short field excursions. Toughen his paw pads before hitting the trail by routinely walking him on concrete sidewalks. Also practice walking up and down steep terrain. Of course, nutrition is an important role in any conditioning program, so feed your dog a healthy diet based on your veterinarians recommendations.

Fairly judge if your dog is too aggressive to be in public places. If you have a pet that behaves viciously toward other animals or people, do the right thing and leave your dog at home whenever you go hiking or camping. Even when under your control, a dog with a ferocious bark or growl can frighten wildlife, spook horses on the trail and spoil the outdoor experience for nearby campers.

Keep your dog leashed at all times. It's a rule at Illinois state parks, and it makes sense for any place that allows pets. Even the most obedient dogs can bolt in strange surroundings. Leashes protect them from getting lost and from hazards such as snakes or sick animals. Plus, a leashed dog puts other campers or hikers at

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OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

At Left: Outdoor activities of all kinds are more fun when shared with man's best friend.

Right: Keeping his cool, Quincy the boxer finds that fresh drinking water is the best way to beat the heat while camping.

ease. A 6-foot-long lead will keep your dog within your control and prevent troublesome entanglements with bushes and other impediments. Always pack a spare collar and leash just in case the originals get damaged or lost.

Make sure your dog has proper identification. Every dog's tags should reflect that his shots and licensing are up-to-date and provide your name, home address and phone number, and perhaps the phone number of your vet. But in addition to these, campers should attach to their dog's collar a temporary I.D. that specifies the park name, campsite's number or location and dates they'll be camping there in case they become separated from the four- legged member of their camping party. Pet stores and other businesses have machines for making temporary tags, or you can fill out and firmly secure to his collar a tag normally used for luggage.

Understand that heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency. Because dogs pant instead of perspiring, they have a more difficult time getting rid of excess body heat than people do. Its the owner's responsibility to make sure all measures are taken to reduce and prevent the possibility of a dog collapsing from prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. A dog accustomed to air-conditioned living is more susceptible to heatstroke than an outdoor residing dog acclimatized to the heat. Dogs that are very young, old or ill are also susceptible. Provide plenty of drinking water and if your dog appears overheated, keep him in the shade. Spray water on your dog's throat and groin, where the blood supply is close to the skin's surface, or apply soaked towels to these areas to help cool him down. Unusual rapid panting and/or a bright red tongue or mouth membranes are cause for concern. Transport your dog to a veterinary hospital immediately if these symptoms appear.

Make sure you have a reliable source of drinking water. Parasitic organisms, harmful bacteria or noxious chemicals may be present in lakes or streams, so bring plenty of water with you if you're unsure about the availability of drinking water at remote campsites. Have it easily accessible so you can offer it to your pet often.

Bring along a generous amount of dog food. Some campers like to pack two extra days of dog meals, just in case their well-planned adventure takes an unexpected turn. If your dog carries his meals in a dog backpack while hiking with you, his load will grow lighter as the hike progresses. That brings up the next guideline.

Consider using specially designed backpacks to make your dog self-sufficient while back- packing. Many pet stores, outdoor supply stores and mail-order companies carry lightweight packs with wide, soft straps for toting a dog's food and first-aid kit. Consider using a towel as a saddle blanket and make sure the weight is evenly distributed on each side of the pack. The point of dog packs is not to use your pet as a pack mule but to provide a way for him to carry his own weight. Young dogs whose bones haven't had time to develop and dogs with hip dysplasia and other orthopedic conditions should carry only the lightest of packs and never tote heavy loads like bottled water. Some trainers say a conditioned dog should be able to comfortably pack about 20 percent of its weight, but questions about your dog's fitness for carrying a pack should be directed to your veterinarian. If your vet gives you the go-ahead, introduce your dog to carrying an empty pack at home, then take him on short walks with it lightly packed. If your dog is one that strongly objects to a pack, the time to find out is before you arrive at a trailhead for a 7-mile hike.

Pack a standard first-aid kit intended for humans, which can double as a first-aid kit for your pet. While camping or hiking, apply any ointments, bandages or other necessities as you would if your dog got hurt at home. With an injured dog, your goal is to stop bleeding, prevent further injury, calm him down and expedite his transport to a veterinary hospital. As always, see your vet for specific medical advice concerning your pet.

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OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Be sure your first-aid kit contains thin-ripped tweezers for removing ticks. A daily rick check is important, because pulling off a tick within 18 to 24 hours of its attaching precludes the tick from depositing Lyme disease-carrying organisms into your dog's system. To remove a tick, use a tweezers for grasping it as close to the dog's skin as possible. Apply gentle but continuous pressure and slowly pull the tick out from under the skin, trying not to break off a part of the rick's head in the process. If that happens, however, it will work its way out over time. After removing the tick, apply rubbing alcohol to the site of the bite to kill any bacteria that might remain. Follow up by washing your hands well.

Practice trail and camping etiquette...or is it petiquette? Having a well-behaved dog is fitting in any situation, but especially important when away from home.

•Train your dog to obey your commands. Obedience skills are needed to prevent minor to catastrophic incidents, from jumping on strangers to bolting across a busy highway.

• A couple of watchdog barks are acceptable,but prevent your dog from making unreasonable noises, especially at night. Train him to stop barking on command.

• Scoop up after your pet and dispose of your dog's waste. Its the polite and ecological thing to do.

• Keep your dog under control at all times leashed while on the trail, tethered while in camp. It's your responsibility to prevent him from annoying or endangering people, other dogs or wildlife.

Enjoy the outdoors with your canine companion. Camping and hiking are always better when shared with a buddy who loves it as much as you do.

Resources for Outdoor Activities with Animals Several books are available for learning more about camping or hiking with dogs. Shop your local bookstore for these and other tides. • Hiking with Your Dog by Richard Lerner, D.V.M. • On the Trail with Your Canine Companion by Cheryl S. Smith • A Guide to Backpackine with Your Dog by Charlene LaBelle • Dog First Aid Randy Acker, D.V.M. • Ruffing It: The Complete Guide to Camping with Dogs by Mardi Richmond and Melanee Barash.

ANNE MUELLER

is a staff writer for OutdoorIllinois a publication of the Illinois Department of Natural Sources. This article is reprinted with permission from (the August 1999 issue of Outdoorillinois. Photographs by IDNR staff photographer Chas). Dees.

September/October 1999/ 47

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Update Your DNR Phone List

48 / Illinois Parks and Recreation

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES NEWS BRIEFS

Garner Named Deputy Director

Governor George H. Ryan has named James D. Gamer deputy director of the Department of Natural Resources.

"Jim Garner will be a great asset to the management team," Ryan said. "He has chaired the Department's strategic planning efforts and has served as team leader on a variety of projects, including development of the framework for the Open Lane Trust program."

Garner, 51, Springfield, has been with the Department of Natural Resources and its predecessor agency, the Department of Conservation, since 1981. Most recently, he was chief of operations for the Office of Resource Conservation.

As deputy director, Garner will assist Director Brent Manning with overseeing the day-to-day operations of several Department offices, including Administration, Resource Conservation, Water Resources, Mines and Minerals, and the Office of Scientific Research and Analysis.

Garner graduated from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston in 1973 with dual majors in Zoology and Environmental Biology and earned a master's degree with honors in Zoology from EIU in 1978.

National Public Lands Day Events, Sept. 25

Chicago Wilderness and the Chicagoland Environmental Network invite individuals, families and groups to set aside Saturday, Sept. 25, to volunteer their energy for National Public Lands Day.

On this day, events will be held at forest preserves, parks and other public lands throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Volunteers of all iges will be collecting seeds, planting trees, improving trails and helping restore degraded woodland, prairie, stream and wetland habitats.

For more information and to find the National Public Lands Day event ncirest you, call the Chicagoland Environmental Network at 1708.485.0263, ext. 396.

Conservation Congress Caucuses

Regional caucuses for Conservation Congress IV are scheduled across the state throughout September and October. All meetings start at 6:00 p.m., except those in Region 2, which start at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Bob Casteel of the Department of Natural Resources Constituency Services Division at 217.782.4963.

• Region 1: Thursday, Sept. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 21; Bureau County Metro Center, 837 ParkAve. W, Princeton.

• Region 2: Tuesday, Sept. 14, and Tuesday, Oct. 12; Elgin Plaza Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn), Routes 31 and 1-90.

• Region 3: Tuesday, Sept. 7 and Thursday, Oct. 7; Illinois Power Environmental Center, Clinton.

• Region 4: Wednesday, Sept. 8 and Tuesday, Oct. 5; Holiday Inn, Carlinville.

• Region 5: Wednesday, Sept. 22, and Wednesday, Oct. 27; Rend Lake College, Ina.

New State Park Magazine Available

The new edition of the Illinois State Parks Magazine is now available. It is filled with information regarding activities in the parks, such as hiking, hiking, canoeing, boating, hunting and fishing as well as complete camping facilities and which facilities are accessible to the disabled. The free publication is available by calling DNR at 217.782.7498 or you can order from the Department's home page at http://dnr.state.il.us. Keep one handy in your car as you travel around Illinois.

Visit DNR'S Web site! http://dnr.state.il.us

September/October 1999/49

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES NEWS BRIEFS

DNR Presents 4 Local Governments
with " Award of Excellence"

Four park districts have been honored for their exemplary work in development of new park and recreation facilities with presentations of the "Award of Excellence" by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "The communities receiving the Awards of Excellence provide noteworthy examples of how strong citizen involvement, public/private partnerships and intergovernmental cooperation can help bring about outstanding close-to-home recreation and open space opportunities," said Brent Manning, IDNR director. "Each of these award-winning agencies looked to the community for innovative ideas to meet their diverse recreational needs." The Department administers a variety of grant programs to assist local communities with providing outdoor recreation facilities, including the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program, the Bike Path, Snowmobile Trail and Boat Access Area programs and the federally funded Land and Water Conservation Fund program (LWCF). "Recipients were selected for recognition from among more than 100 local grant projects complete within the past year," said Ron Hallberg, chief of the IDNR Division of Grant Administration. "Competition in our grant program is intense, so any project awarded a state assistance grant is outstanding. Those receiving the Award of Excellence were exceptionally innovative and efficient in their approaches to project planning, design and administration."

1. Geneva Park District. The district's Peck Farm Park, a 130-plus-acre park preserved in the middle of a rapidly developing residential growth area in Geneva provides both an environmental learning center, innovative watershed management practices and state-of-the-art active recreation facilities (sports complex). Project exemplified innovative design, outstanding local community input and planning and use of public/private partnerships in creation of parks. (Contact: Steve Persinger, director, 630.232.4542). 2. Champaign County Forest Preserve District. The Welcome Center Project at the district's Salt Fork River Forest Preserve included construction of a new Welcome Center building which will serve as an interpretive facility overlooking Homer Lake and the newly constructed boat dock. The Welcome Center is not only innovative in its exterior design, but also in construction. It was fabricated and shipped by the manufacturer to the Salt Fork Preserve where it was then constructed by Champaign County Forest Preserve District personnel. These person nel also constructed hiking trails and sidewalks. (Contact: Ms. Andee Chestnut, public relations coordinator, 217.586.3360).

3. Macomb Park District. Lakeview Nature Center, constructed with OSLAD grant assistance, is an example of a recreation facility that was designed to blend in with the natural setting of Spring Lake Park, framed with hand-hewn oak timbers that are mortise and tenon. No nails hold the framework together; only wooden pegs. This construction method resulted in a rustic, two-story log cabin structure whose exterior appearance complements the country area surrounding Spring Lake Park. The Center serves as an interpretive threshold to the 55 acres of restored prairie with trails and observation platforms overlooking woodlands, grasslands, wetlands and Spring Lake. (Contact: Mr. Ray Peterson, executive director, 309.833.4562)

4. Will County Forest Preserve District received an award for two projects that both exemplify the forest preserve's excellent ability to foster local community input and support for projects and through creation of numerous inter-agency (local/local and local/ state) and public/private partnerships. (Contact: Michael Pasteris, director, 815.727.8700)

•Old Plank Road Trail. Acquisition and development of a 21-mile hike/bike trail corridor on abandoned Pen Central ROW from Park Forest to Joliet. Involved cooperation and funding support from five local government entities as well as two state agencies (DNR and DOT). Phase I and II of trail construction completed totally approximately 13 miles. Phase III construction is funded and currently in design phase.

•Copley Nature Preserve. The forest preserve acquired approximately two acres adjacent to Lake Renwick Rookery with OSLAD assistance. Currently, public access to the rookery, a state-dedicated nature preserve, is limited and this site will greatly increase nature observation opportunities. The district received the award in recognition of citizen involvement and public/private partnerships. A citizen's group, the Friends of the Rookery, spearheaded a fundraising campaign that raised approximately $ 155,000 and the Brooks McCormick Foundation contributed $ 10,000 toward the acquisition of the property. The site, now known as Copley Nature Park, will be developed with a parking lot, walkways, a gazebo, interpretive signage and a sheltered viewing blind.

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