We don’t travel a lot, but my sisters and I do travel and we travel far from home. No matter where we are, walking is something we continue to do, but if you are out of your “area”, you need to be aware of your surroundings before setting out on a walk. STOP for a moment and find out what dangers and hazards or new rules may be in place before you take off walking. We are also always on leash in new areas, and always have our tags on, just in case. We are chipped too, but anyone can read tags, so we like to wear them.
In May, when we were at BlogPaws in Lake Las Vegas, the first morning we set out at 4:30 am for a nice walk. We woke Mom up early because of the time difference. We headed out on the walkways around the beautiful resort we were staying at when a security guard in a golf cart stopped us. We felt safe in the area on the walking paths, but he told us not to leave the resort area until the sun came up because coyotes were all over the area when it was dark out. We had no clue and were thankful for that information.
In Florida we stay in a golf community where we need to watch out for alligators. Many of the water hazards on the course have alligators in them. Last year, we saw a really big one just laying in the sun. For the above photo Mom first had us by the water, but then she panicked and pulled us up the hill as she envisioned a gator jumping out of the pond and grabbing us. We joke about it, but we do need to be careful.
Pay attention to signage while you are out walking. There is a reason we shouldn’t swim in the lakes. On Sunday I had a photo about a dangerous crossing. In this community, golf carts are everywhere, and they speed along not usually stopping to look for dogs, meaning you need to watch out for them!
For dogs, especially males, take note of the fire hydrants. At home we have red ones, but where we were in Florida, they are yellow. This is good to know for peemail.
Take note of the weather. If you live where the weather is cooler and you are walking on an eighty degree day, your pup may get too warm. Bring water along, let them take a break in the shade, or adjust the length of your walk.
Some things are the same everywhere like squirrels. Those pesty, rude, creatures were really teasing me in Florida! Sadly, I can’t climb a tree in Florida or Minnesota! We did have to watch for snakes, lizards, and other creepy creatures. Some of them may be dangerous for dogs. Mom also made a note of an AAHA Vet Clinic nearby, as well as a 24 hr emergency clinic, just in case we had anything happen that required medical attention.
Walking is a fun, and fit way to discover your new surroundings, but you need to make sure you know what dangers may be lurking. Everyone seems to eat more while on vacation, and walking is a great way to make sure you don’t return home with unwanted pounds! Heck, I even ran with Mom and Bailie four times while in Florida, I rarely want to run when we are home! Get out and explore on foot, and take in the sights!
PS: Katie was with us in Florida, but she wasn’t up to walking so far, so Bailie and I did lots of walks together. Speaking of alligators, the three in the photo were the only ones we saw this trip!
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Looks so pretty, and so warm! Glad you didn’t see any other alligators this trip!
Mom always wanted to see one to really believe they are there, but one is all she ever wants to see.
Awesome tips!! Gators must be so scary!
No one that lives there seems to worry much about them, but Mom is always afraid of them.
Glad ya didn’t have any gator encounters!
I love to eat but not be eaten!
Some top tips, and sounds like you had an amazing time! Although I am disappointed to learn you can’t climb trees just because you move to a different state!
I was really hoping Florida trees would be easier, but I guess not.
Thanks for your great tips. I agree the color of the fire hydrants is very important! We also ask google for a vet near our travel destination, butt my mom overdid it a little as she booked a howltel next to a vet… this vet was the official veterinarian of a big stockyard was was also near our howltel :o(
In Europe most vets do handle all types of animals it seems, but that kind of a vet would really not be a good place to stay next to!
the smell of the stockyard was awful…and there were a lot of flies… fortunately it was weekend and they didn’t work there :o)
May as well stay in a barn!
Thank You for sharing tips and great pictures!
Thank you for stopping by.
Great tips, love the pics! We never knew you were a tree hugger! BOL!
Mom says I need to move to the Seattle area because there are supposedly lots of tree huggers up there. I will stay put and just hug trees here!
Great tips to share Emma…especially about those alligators. Those would be some scary creatures to encounter.
It is so weird that Florida folks don’t worry so much about them, but Mom is always on the look out. She is told they don’t harm anyone, but we don’t want to be the first victims!
These are great tips! Walking in a strange place can sure be scary!
Especially if there are coyotes nearby!!! EEK!
α¦ husky hugz α¦ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
We have coyotes in our area, so we are kind of used to worrying about them, but new creatures we don’t understand are scary.
Great advice and beautiful pictures. Enjoy your vacation. We will find out around Dec 18 if Glory is pregnant.
It might be like an early Christmas gift! Can’t wait to find out. We are back home now, but we always post after we are back home.
We love to walk in new areas, it’s the best way to explore. Looks like you are having a lovely vacation.
We love it too, but you just need to know what is in your surroundings.
We are always on a leash. You are right about new places. I always keep my nose to the ground for critters. We have a lot of gators in the bayou, but not near our home. These are excellent tips. I look forward to leisurely strolls with you in Nashville. β₯ Bentley
No gators in Nashville, so we will be safe! We have to be on leash all the time too because of our hound tendencies, but still we need to stay clear of the water and other possibly scary areas!
Great advice! Pawsome pictures. I had my first escape yesterday. I was bad…I ran across the street and went several houses down. There I found these funny looking things in the front yard. I think I saw a snowman, a Santa Claus, and lots of other stuff like that. Being the good scent hound that I am I had to sniff everything and give voice. I allowed the mom to catch me and put me on my leash. XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
Uh oh, you shouldn’t run away from home! It is best to stay on leash. Good thing you didn’t spot a critter and chase it.
it is always good to take notice of your environment a you never know what is around the next corner
Nature has many dangers out there, and we need to know about them before we head out.
Oh yes, you can never be too prepared to be safe!
At least house kitties don’t have quite as many dangers.
Those are some pretty pawsome tips, Emma. I’ll never see one of those alligator things, but coyotes? Oh, my. One almost ate me out at 1000 acres–a place I go all the time. I was sooooo scared (and so was Mom).
We have coyotes in the area here at home, but haven’t run into one on a walk yet. Glad you didn’t get eaten. Alligators are real scary!
Emma, did you notice how skinny Florida squirrels are? And how scraggly their fur? It’s crazy!
I just noticed that they yell at us all the time and hang just above our reach. They are especially mean!
Except for in Myakka where they have gator tours I’ve only seen one wild alligator, and he was far away. It’s best to err on the side of caution, of course – they’re out there. I’ve never seen a coyote.
There are lots of squirrels here. They like to tease the dogs, lol
Tons of squirrels and wabbits and in the community where we stay several gators, so Mom is always on the lookout!
I started reading with interest thinking I’d be reading about different traffic patterns or places with lots of off-leash dogs. Imagine my surprise when you started right in with coyotes and alligators.
Emma, you always find ways to surprise me.
Even though we know about the gators Mom forgets and wants us to go by the pond. We just want to remind everyone that when you are not home, things are different. I would hate to have anyone stolen by a gator. I like to keep my friends thinking and not get bored on my blog!
Hope you have some fun in Florida! Very good tips for when you’re in a new location. I sniff and check out everything and Mama makes sure that we are careful for cars and different dangers.
Florida was a bit cold this year, but we are happily back home and hopping in the snow now.
Love the post and the pictures are wonderful!!!
Thank you!
Safety first!
Yep, that is important to remember.
Taking stock of your surroundings is so important when walking in new territory! I think we all have a tendency to get comfortable with our routines and take our usual environment’s characteristics for granted! Well written!
How about meeting new dogs?
Meeting new dogs is pretty much the same no matter where we go, it is just the different surroundings we need to watch out for.
All excellent advice!
Thank you π Have a wonderful weekend!
You really never know what you’re going to encounter in new areas; if I took Laika to Florida she’d probably be completely confused by all the lizards. 4:30 AM? Coyotes? I love that no matter where you go squirrels will always continue to pester dogs. And yes – knowing the hydrant color is very important for pee mail LOL π
The geckos are all over. I just ignore them but Bailie I think would eat one and that just grosses Mom out, so she is always watching Bailie!
Great advice, Emma. Is that Bailie the tree hugger, or Bailie the ove-rsized squirrel making her escape into the trees?
I’m the tree hugger. Bailie is a real tracker, she keeps her nose on the ground area and makes lots of noise while I try to climb the tree!
*gulp* uh…seriouslies….we’re kinda thinking we actually LIKE Kansas now. No gators or other dangers….just good ol’ foxes and vishus deers an’ coyotes an ‘stuff!
We prefer the furry dangers too! I was in Kansas, lots of flat land there, so you could see those furry troubles coming from miles away!
Alligators! where??? don’t get eaten. And squirrels too. That looks like a really cool place. You are lucky dogs. – Your friends at DogDaz Zoo
The gators are usually in the water, but we have seen them on land. Not a good thing.
That is great advice, Emma. People might not think of a lot of those things when in a different place. We saw gators when we were in TX quite a few years ago….it always surprised me that people used walking trails where the gators are just out there hanging around!
Mom doesn’t get it either. They play golf and walk right by the gator that is laying on the grass. We wouldn’t want to risk it.
Excellent tips. It is important to pay attentions to dangers when you are traveling.
Especially far from home in an entirely new area.
I’ve never taken Harley to Florida, but you keep making it look like I need to change my mind Emma. Great post. – important tips.
I’m sure he would enjoy a Florida trip. We like to go just about any place because it is all new and fun.
I think you could almost climb that tree!
I think I was pretty close. I doubt that tree had ever had such a bit hug before either!