Mushers Secret Wax-the secret to healthy paws

Getting Outdoors with your Dog

Check out our interview with Camping Pet on “How to train your dog for adventure activities”

We asked mountain guide and dog owner Jon Asher for some advice on backpacking and canoeing with dogs. Jon has been a guide for over ten years and owns Wild Mountain Online, which is a specialty shop that has a unique mix of outdoor gear for people and dogs. He offers some valuable advice for novice and experienced dog hikers.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I have been in the outdoor business since 1991. I owned a rafting company for about ten years then got into the outdoor retail business. I continue to work as a rafting, hiking, and snowshoeing guide with my wife, Janet. We spend our free time outdoors hiking, camping, river rafting, canoeing, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Everything we do is with our dogs, Rio and Lily.

2. What advice would you give a dog owner who wants to start backpacking with their dog?

Get a comfortable pack for your dog prior to leaving on the trip. Start with short excursions and build up the miles. Use booties and healing paw wax to help their paws stay healthy.

3. How do you fit a dog for a backpack?

Most packs are fitted by length from neck to start of the tail, and the girth or widest measurement around the dog’s chest. Don’t oversize the pack because you need them to carry more. Put treats in the new pack and make it fun to wear. READ MORE

Happy New Year! 2009

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Our hopes and dreams for 2009 include a special wish for all the homeless animals in the world. May your human guardians realize that it is our responsibility to take care of each little animal soul that comes into the world. 2008 was a year of hardship for many people. Our dogs helped us get through these hard times: they gave us laughter and comfort. Rescuing our new dog Lily in August was frightening at first, but gave all of us including Rio an incredible amount of joy.

Finally, we say thanks to all of our customers that have helped make our small store, Wild Mountain Online a success. In a world of corporate giants, it is refreshing to have met and helped you find the right outdoor dog products for your best friend.

The Ashers
Jon, Janet, Rio, and Lily.

Lily and Me

Christmas night Janet and I went to the opening of  the movie Marley and Me. Having been a fan of John Grogan’s book for some time, we had to see the movie. I have to say that the movie was entertaining in much of the same vain as the book. And of course there was a lot of sniffing and chortling from the audience at the end, but just as much laughter during the course of his happy misadventures.
The full gamut of a dog’s life from puppy hood to old age and death was portrayed. Movies rarely duplicate what a good book can awaken within us. If you have seen the movie, you really have to read the book. Order it from my favorite independent bookstore: Collected Works.
However,there is more to this story. The dogs had been left at home with our usual vigilance leaving no food upon the counters. When we returned from the movie I noticed something gold and shiny in the dog bed. Upon closer examination, there it was- one last half eaten milk chocolate coin from a Christmas stocking. Lily had eaten the entire bag as Rio watched. Of course it threw us into a panic with phone calls to the emergency vet and a few passes at google search. Make her throw up-seemed to be the most common thread throughout the web. We searched for hydrogen peroxide to no avail, open drugstore on Christmas- nothing open, called the neighbors- not enough in the bottle to produce vomiting. We gave up and went to bed. Several days later we have noticed bits of the foil poking out of her poo and hope that soon all the Christmas cheer will have passed on through.

Lily the Trouble Maker

Oh what fun it is to mush…

The dogs had a great day cross country skiing in the Sangre de Cristos. We skied up Aspen Vista to the big rock and skied back. This was Lily’s first ski trip and she did pretty well. As long as the dogs stay behind the skiers then everything is ok. The problems occur if their paws get in the way of the skis. Rio learned that lesson long ago and had a stich or two. Of course we took plenty of Mushers Secret Wax.

Rio and Lily wearing their dog coats in the snow.

Peace

Pick it Up! Just because its a dog park…

Pick up after your dog!

Just because its a dog park, doesn’t mean you don’t have to pick up after your dog. There I was this morning dodging dog turds and becoming really aggravated. By the way, What do you think the biodegradible bags are for? I pick up after my dogs every time! -and sometimes yours when its just too disgusting to leave on the trail.

Grateful

Rio and Lily

We have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. We are grateful for our dogs: Rio and our rescue, Lily. Just thinking about her sleeping on the cold floor of a shelter is enough to bring us to tears.We are grateful to Lodestar Dog Ranch for putting Lily’s picture on the web- where we saw it and took action to save her. Wild Mountain Online recently helped with an online auction for Bridging the Worlds, a rescue sanctuary in Santa Fe. We are grateful for the wonderful volunteers that help find homes for all those little souls. We are grateful to have 17 years with Bo, our shelter dog that passed away last year. And we are grateful for all the people who are working to protect animals at PETA.

And last but not least, we are grateful for you…who have read our blogs and supported Wild Mountain Online.

Rio Sings Jingle Bells

Mushing Dogs and Paw Protection

You don’t have to have Mushing dogs to appreciate the value of Musher’s Secret Wax. Used regularly throughout the Winter, your dog’s paws will withstand the ice buildup and salt burn from walking the streets. Use Musher’s Wax on any outdoor venture like skiing and snowshoeing. It will protect your dog’s paws and they will enjoy romping in the snow even more! Check out the 200 gram size

Mushers Secret Wax

, the best value for you money.