Thanks Mike! I love having dogs around, and all the other animals that are typically encountered on hikes! Last weekend I hiked and there was probably about 75 cows and a lot of goats traveling along the same path with some people on horses corralling them. The cows looked happy having their breaks standing in the river. It feels like, at least for that short while, we are all living in harmony, not concerned about who believes what, just walking and enjoying the beautiful natural earth we are so lucky to call our home.
I take my dogs hiking all the time. Up hill, down hill, over hill (wait, that's me) and into the brush. Sometimes I help them, and sometimes they help me. Well, the big ones anyway. No joke. Going down a slippery steep ravine, they have four paw drive, and I'll put my hand on their back to keep my balance. I really dislike tumbling.
Oh yes, that four paw drive does come in handy sometimes. I dislike tumbling too - I'm well beyond the age where it is "fun" 😂. Thanks for reading and for offering your own anecdotes!
I haven't seen the insistence of taking dogs in other parts of Mexico, but I have definitely seen the "We'll make it work" attitude all across the country. I have never seen a Mexican turn around because of an obstacle. The most they'll do is stop and think about how they can reach their goals in spite of the obstacles. We gringos could learn a lot from them.
You're absolutely right, Michael. I too have never seen a Mexican turn around because of an obstacle. It is heartening to see problems just get solved, even if sometimes it is in a short-term manner (in which case, it will just get solved again 😂)
I wish I could take my two dogs on the hikes! But Auggie is long past hiking age, and Dutchy is too mean to other dogs so I don't want to risk it. For Dutchy, I'm understanding more that this is a very American/ me problem. Absolutely zero Mexicans have ever told me I need to leave my dog at home. Once I was on the trail, and coming towards me was a Mexican guy walking SEVEN dogs, most of them pit bull mixes. I told him I would move my dog, but he replied, "no need, they listen to me." Before I could tell him it was MY dog I was worried about misbehaving, he very confidently walked his dogs past us, talking to them the whole time. And they listened. Dutchy still growled and lunged, but I had a good grip on her leash, and perhaps I imagined it, but the lunge was half-hearted, like she too was listening to his commanding voice. Just one example of many times that I have seen a similar "can-do" attitude.
My dog Izzy is in the same boat as your Dutchy. Izzy will go after another dog if that dog shows any interest in Izzy whatsoever. It does make it difficult, but like you I think this is an American/Me problem. I've never had a Mexican complain to me about Izzy ("no pasa nada - son perros"), but people from the US/Canada have a hard time with it.
I love this so much. I have spent a lot of time in Mexico, so I totally get it. India is another country I have spent even more time in, and I am greatly reminded of it here. My husband does a little waggle of his head in that oh-so-Indian way: “we will adjust.” And we do.
On FB, I posted a funny (I thought) paragraph about flying my drone into a tree and the nice Mexican man who came to my rescue with a ladder. Most people thought it was funny. Except for an American lady who asked me in a comment if I had all the proper authorizations for flying the drone. Honestly, whether or not I had proper authorization would never enter the mind of a Mexican person. Go figure.
Sweet story, Mike. I can name so many examples of Mexican people's resourcefulness and entrepreneurship. Can I take my cats on a hike? Kidding. Theoretically, the workaround would be a cat backpack, but I am guessing up hill hiking would be a challenge for me to just carry my soul. Warm greetings to you and your readership!
Thanks Mike! I love having dogs around, and all the other animals that are typically encountered on hikes! Last weekend I hiked and there was probably about 75 cows and a lot of goats traveling along the same path with some people on horses corralling them. The cows looked happy having their breaks standing in the river. It feels like, at least for that short while, we are all living in harmony, not concerned about who believes what, just walking and enjoying the beautiful natural earth we are so lucky to call our home.
Yes! The hiking trails in Mexico belong to everyone - including all the non-human animals (and, unfortunately, spiders). Thanks for reading, Christy.
I take my dogs hiking all the time. Up hill, down hill, over hill (wait, that's me) and into the brush. Sometimes I help them, and sometimes they help me. Well, the big ones anyway. No joke. Going down a slippery steep ravine, they have four paw drive, and I'll put my hand on their back to keep my balance. I really dislike tumbling.
Thanks for the good dog vibe, Mike!
Oh yes, that four paw drive does come in handy sometimes. I dislike tumbling too - I'm well beyond the age where it is "fun" 😂. Thanks for reading and for offering your own anecdotes!
I'm glad they made accommodations so they could join! They often cheer others hikers up so always bring them if you can 🙏🏼
So true, they make all of those hills just a little bit easier!
I haven't seen the insistence of taking dogs in other parts of Mexico, but I have definitely seen the "We'll make it work" attitude all across the country. I have never seen a Mexican turn around because of an obstacle. The most they'll do is stop and think about how they can reach their goals in spite of the obstacles. We gringos could learn a lot from them.
You're absolutely right, Michael. I too have never seen a Mexican turn around because of an obstacle. It is heartening to see problems just get solved, even if sometimes it is in a short-term manner (in which case, it will just get solved again 😂)
I wish I could take my two dogs on the hikes! But Auggie is long past hiking age, and Dutchy is too mean to other dogs so I don't want to risk it. For Dutchy, I'm understanding more that this is a very American/ me problem. Absolutely zero Mexicans have ever told me I need to leave my dog at home. Once I was on the trail, and coming towards me was a Mexican guy walking SEVEN dogs, most of them pit bull mixes. I told him I would move my dog, but he replied, "no need, they listen to me." Before I could tell him it was MY dog I was worried about misbehaving, he very confidently walked his dogs past us, talking to them the whole time. And they listened. Dutchy still growled and lunged, but I had a good grip on her leash, and perhaps I imagined it, but the lunge was half-hearted, like she too was listening to his commanding voice. Just one example of many times that I have seen a similar "can-do" attitude.
My dog Izzy is in the same boat as your Dutchy. Izzy will go after another dog if that dog shows any interest in Izzy whatsoever. It does make it difficult, but like you I think this is an American/Me problem. I've never had a Mexican complain to me about Izzy ("no pasa nada - son perros"), but people from the US/Canada have a hard time with it.
I love this so much. I have spent a lot of time in Mexico, so I totally get it. India is another country I have spent even more time in, and I am greatly reminded of it here. My husband does a little waggle of his head in that oh-so-Indian way: “we will adjust.” And we do.
It is such a refreshing attitude, especially for a gringo like me. Thank you for reading, Martha, and for your lovely comment.
On FB, I posted a funny (I thought) paragraph about flying my drone into a tree and the nice Mexican man who came to my rescue with a ladder. Most people thought it was funny. Except for an American lady who asked me in a comment if I had all the proper authorizations for flying the drone. Honestly, whether or not I had proper authorization would never enter the mind of a Mexican person. Go figure.
Jajajaja - right? A charged battery is about all the authorization you need!
Sweet story, Mike. I can name so many examples of Mexican people's resourcefulness and entrepreneurship. Can I take my cats on a hike? Kidding. Theoretically, the workaround would be a cat backpack, but I am guessing up hill hiking would be a challenge for me to just carry my soul. Warm greetings to you and your readership!
Thanks, Elva. And yes, you can take your cats on a hike - I just can't promise that you'll ever find them again 😂