Dogs at gatherings: Tips, Unofficial Rules, Comments

Hi fellow rainbowers! I went to my first gathering in PA with some friends and my friendly Rottweiler, Bella. I got mixed vibes about dogs at gatherings when I was there so I'd like to know the general consensus on dogs at these happenings. Also any tips or tricks for managing dogs at gatherings will be greatly appreciated.

My stance on dogs is that it's ok if you're a responsible owner and clean up after them. I brought plenty of plastic grocery bags to pick up after my dog and threw them out in a large garbage bag I kept near my tent. I also brought a 20lb bag of dog food and a couple feeding bowls for the week I was there. She was leashed most of the time, but I did keep her off leash near my tent and on long walks through the woods. I was considering next year bringing a small fold able shovel to bury dog poop when I'm far away from my tent so I don't have to go all the way back to my campsite to throw it out in my trash bag. I did notice a lot of dogs running around with no one watching them and many of them pooped in the middle of crowded areas and on trails, this I don't approve of because it's unsanitary and very unpleasant.

Please share your dog stories and personal dog rules as well. I'd really like to hear what other people do and think.



shanti, shanti, shanti

 

Its just inevitable. So much of the family doesnt have anywhere to leave their furry friends during a gathering. I do find it frustrating when a lot of our street dwelling , less discerning, typically younger brothers and sisters show up every year to nationals with a different 8 week old puppy or kitten ( that,of course, havent had a parvo or distemper shot yet)and then end up too preoccupied in their own psychedelic experiences to be responsible pet owners. Why not adopt an older dog?? I didnt bring my dog to a gathering until he was 6 years old, after realizing on dead tour that it wouldnt be a problem since he hadnt got in a single fight ( he dislikes unneutered dogs) . But.... he was on a leash either at my camp or with me at all times unless we hiked a ways away from population. And I personally couldnt imagine bringing a cat to a gathering under any circumstance but being part of the Family definitely calls for patience and tolerance. I have been volunteering for United Animal Friends for a long time, have experience as a groomer and study holistic/natural medicine. I have worked with CALM in the past and dont particularly enjoy the egos and politics that i seem to encounter there, and I know many others feel the same way and I am naturally drawn to helping domesticated animals. I usually bring all the parvo shots that i can score, and as many pet-approved herbs and supplements, homeopathy, DOG FOOD, topicals like sulfur for mange, and first aid for injuries and offer "DOGGIE CALM". Since i often hitch or catch a ride and am limited on space, therefore limited on gear, I offer my animal aid by word of mouth, but would love to collaborate with a group to be able to offer this yearly at a designated location. It would also be great to set up pens to offer doggie day care/ lost and found/ etc. IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO BRING EXTRA DOG FOOD AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRAVEL IT IN, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A PET OWNER YOURSELF, REMEMBER, THE GATHERING IS A FAMILY AFFAIR AND DOG FOOD IS AS PRECIOUS AS CHOCOLATE OR TOBACCO TO SOME OF GODS CREATURES. NO ONE HAS EVER STARVED AT A GATHERING!! IT IS A COLLABORATIVE AFFAIR!!
PEACE, HEALTH, & HARMONY
View attachment 46478

​

 

there's two different tribes of dogs . some are good with kids
and they protect them at the center . these are townie dogs .
the other tribe is more wild and suited for guarding the perimeter ,
as well are
their wild humans .

bad dogs at the center are really bad
but make good enough soup . little dogs
are two tacos .

 

Ok, so far there's 2 votes against dogs at the gathering. I think I understand more now that some people don't want dogs there, but the rainbow gathering accepts all so dogs will obviously be there and are apart of the gathering. I guess the only thing we can do is help where we can.

Crystal, I couldn't agree with you more. Setting up a "doggie calm"/lost dog place is a really good idea. My older sister who's been to other gatherings told me she once saw some people with a dog pen on the out going trail claiming that they would make dog soup and asking ppl to take a dog home with them. It's kind of early to make plans, but I'd like to participate in something like that in WA.

Here's another picture of my dog, Bella!

 

I think the key issue is responsibility (as I believe in peace, love, unity, respect, and responsibility being key to a harmonic and serene atmosphere). People have to realize that if they bring a dog, they are responsible for feeding it and cleaning up after it (and making sure it doesn't harm others or other peoples' pets). If they are responsible, then I think it's perfectly fine. Setting up a lost dog area sounds like a great idea btw.

 

Dogs at gatherings are cool, but friendly, people-loving dogs only. Leave the overprotective ones who have a problem with strangers at home.

 

And you need owners that are responsible for the behavior of their dogs, too. When a dog comes at you barking and growling, no leash attached, and the owner laughs it off saying ?aw! He just wants to know who you are so he'll know you're not a threat!", the owner should be beaten within an inch of his life. He knows his dog. Others do not/may not.

I have been to campout-gatherings where dogs were loose, and when one jumps on you looking for attention, thus you spilling your meal, well, angry just doesn't cover the feelings you have.

This is very difficult for me as while I understand that dogs have masters, I deplore the idea of any one living being owning another.

 

Does anybody have any tips for sanitary dog waste disposal at the gathering?

 

Perhaps the folks that run a Rainbow gathering would have better insight than I, but I figure bag it if you can and put it in with the human waste.

 

the dog tribe gets smarter every year . if you
want to see what harmony can happen go visit an
old time Crow village . travelling from the east
on I-90 to the Washington gathering you may
find two cool dog towns near custer's last pop stand .


dog poop ! dog poop ! scoop it with a piece of
bark and down the old gopher hole with it .

 

I would totally be down with helping out with a doggie day care! That's a great idea! I've babysat for others' furry kids in the past, and only once did I have an issue where the kid didn't come back. My furry kid goes everywhere with me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. However, even the best parents need a night off here and there! I keep my dog on a leash or a cable more often than not, but sometimes I like to be able to let her explore some too. She's a great dog, with excellent manners, and rarely barks at others. I wouldn't have half the fun I do at gatherings or on the road, if not for her.

 

Never been to a gathering but I do travel and take my pets. They have their rabies tags as well as Id tags on them plus I have my vetrinarian print out their vaccination sheets and I keep that handy. It shows when they had their shots when they are due again and it has the vets phone number on it. I never allow my dogs off leash although they are friendly. With differnt types of people and different noises it can become an out of hand sitution real fast. I use both poopbags and a scoop and pail I keep by my trailer and I clean up right behind them.

 

I was thinking of bringing biodegradable poop bags and either burying them or throwing them in a shitter. What do you fellow rainbower's think? Is this a good idea? I could also get compostable bags.

 

What seems to be true about dogs--even very friendly dogs--is that they can and often do pick up strong vibes from "bad" people or people they are not sure of and that being said--situations can arise. Situations can be controlled with dogs on leashes.

 

The owners (ugh!) should be responsible for the actions of the animals. (generalizing in case someone wants to bring a monkey or giraffe to a gathering)

 

getting rid of the poop isn't a problem...once everyone is done cooking on the fire i burn it...it turns to ash real fast on hot coals and if no fire or it's being used i bury it around and under bushes.

 

Perhaps some fellow dog luvin rainbows can start a doggie village, sorta like kiddie village. It would be an area well dog's are expected and wanted. Even maybe a group doggie training sessions.

For the most part your dog should know the phrase "Dog out!" If your dog knows "Dog out!" and obeys it I doubt you or your dog will have many problems.