More to the Story than We Thought!

We received a ton of photos over the three months that we held the "Is Your Dog a Peakwagger?" contest. Although each one told a very compelling story (a picture truly is worth 1,000 words), the winner's photos were the only ones that we actually delved into. And over this last week, we learned that the second winner to the contest - Tripawds (pictured above) - had one hell of a tale.

When we originally published the story, we only had the photo to go on, due to difficulties getting in touch with the dog's owner. After finally making contact, however, we were sent an email full of the life story of Guthrie (the dog's actual name).

After being hit by a car on an Orlando, FL freeway, having a leg amputated and being given a 50% chance of survival, Guthrie was adopted by the Rich family. Funny enough, Amanda Pants Rich (who submitted the winning photo) claims that she learned of Guthrie's case from a friend who had witnessed the car accident and had posted photos of the dog on Facebook, trying to help him find a home. Since recovering, Guthrie has proven that three legs work just as well as four, conquering mountains, hiking trails and going for the occasional swim.

Thanks again to the Rich family for the submission (the photo was taken at St. George Park in Florida), and happy trails to Guthrie, a.k.a. Tripawds, who proves that any dog can be a true Peakwagger!

The Third and Final Winner is: Keegan!

Well, the last month of the "Is Your Dog a Peakwagger?" contest has come and gone, and although we've seen tons of photos of your pooches in action, conquering peaks and playing in the outdoors, there can only be one winner. Drum roll please.

The third and final winner of our contest is: Keegan!

This awesome photo of the Border Collie/Shetland Sheep dog was taken by Dale Smith, Keegan's owner, in Mark Twain National Forest. Turns out mother nature added an extra extreme factor to the duo's backpacking trip, leaving them with 13 inches of snow to trek through.

As a true peakwagger, 10-year-old Keegan simply loves the outdoors. In fact, Keegan was one of the first pooches to test our products in the field, giving our meals two paws up. Congratulations Keegan!

Lastly, a big congrats to Jeanne Garcia and her dog, Bear. You are this month's runner up and will receive some of our jerky snacks. Seems we like photos of diving dogs as much as mountain climbing dogs. Who knew?

Get Out! The Colors are Spectacular

With fall in full force and the leaves changing all over, now is without a doubt the best time to get out on a last hike, trek or exploration with your pooches. The mountain tops throughout Colorado, especially on Rabbit Ears Pass, just outside of Steamboat Springs (where this photo was taken), appear to be bursting in flames, with all the yellows, oranges and reds consuming the trees.

Granted, every autumn brings with it the same array of color before the frigid, snowy days of winter arrive. But this one in particular seems more vivid than previous. So, go take advantage of these final, tranquil and colorful days while they're still here. It's unbelievable outside!

Fall is Coming Fast!

We don't know about you, but here in Colorado fall is approaching faster than we'd like. Sure, we had an epic summer hiking, mountain biking and peak wagging with our favorite pooches, but hopes of an Indian Summer seem to be dwindling. Some of the nearby peaks already have a dusting of snow, and the leaves have already started changing colors!

So, as way a way to say sayonara to a great summer season, we headed up to Heart Lake with a few of the Bernese clan for one final, sunny day hike. Sporting their new Granite Gear packs, the dogs definitely appreciated the exercise, as well as a nice swim in the frigid lake.

Hopefully you had as good a summer as we did! Happy trails everybody!

And the Second Winner is: Tripawds!

Month 2 of 3 has passed for the "Is Your Dog a Peakwagger?" contest, and the winner is: Tripawds (if that is the pooch's real name).

Although we have yet to hear from Amanda Pants Rich, the dog's owner, it seems that her photo submission says it all. Tripawds loves camping, loves the outdoors and can wear a backpack all while sporting just three legs. Now that's an impressive peak-wagging canine!

For those who did not win, there is still one more month of the contest! So like our Facebook Page and submit those photos to win some fabulous Peakwaggers prizes.

Lastly, congratulations to our runner up, Bentley, from Ski Haus Steamboat. Now that dog can fly!

Goodbye to a True Peakwagger

In March, we lost one of our true, original peakwaggers: Sumo. Besides being the company's mascot as well as one of the biggest Bernese Mountain Dogs we'd ever seen, Sumo was by far one of the kindest and sweetest dogs around. We constantly received questions about his whereabouts at last month's OR Show, since he had made such a huge impression the year prior, at our first show.

So, as a way to say goodbye and "pass the Peakwaggers' torch," so to speak, we headed up to Bob and Betty Lake, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, to scatter Sumo's ashes. With Momo - our new mascot - carrying the remains, we finally laid to rest one of the best dogs we'd ever known at one of his favorite places on Earth.

It is true what they say, that dog is man's best friend. Sumo, however, was definitely something more.

A Q&A with Deb Lynn Foote

Besides a Peakwaggers Facebook fan, Deb Lynn Foote has been the director of the Animal Emergency Management Program of Colorado for the last two years. We were lucky to speak with her for a few minutes about animal evacuation and how dog owners can be more prepared.

What are some of the challenges to rescuing animals during a natural disaster?

"In both the evacuation and the sheltering you are dealing with animals that have an additional level of stress. They can be more challenging, more fearful and some can become more aggressive. You don't know anything about the animals you are dealing with...its very complex."

What was the worst disaster you've seen with regards to animal rescue?

"I didn't see it, but I would say that the most challenging one was after the Windsor tornado up in Weld County a couple years ago. That was really challenging because you were dealing with animals that were injured or were loose because their homes were destroyed. It made it really difficult for the rescuers, too, because the structures that they were dealing with were compromised."

What recommendations can you give dog owners so that they can ensure their pet's safety during a disaster?

"The biggest thing is preparedness, that they evacuate their dogs or they arrange for their neighbors to do it. Sometimes with wildfires, for example, evacuation notices come up quickly and people may not be at home and able to evacuate their dog. All of my neighbors know to grab mine if I am not at home. Hurricanes, on the contrary, are easier because you have plenty of notice. The key is to not leave them behind."

For more information on pet evacuation and ensuring the safety of your dog during a natural disaster, click here.

(Photo courtesy of Deb Lynn Foote)