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Doggone Wild! Photo Contest

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Doggone Wild! Winners

In celebration of our four-legged trail companions, we're please to announce the winners of the Doggone Wild! photo contest. With over two dozen entries and votes coming in from all over the country...drum roll...Congratulations to Chaco and her human Jeff!

Winning canines were chosen by YOU, each will receive a copy of the book, Best Hikes with Dogs: Arizona, homemade organic doggie treats from Tortolita Treats, and a commemorative Doggone Wild! bandana. Our Grand Prize winner will also receive a $20 gift certificate from Summit Hut, and a copy of the book The Secret Lives of Dogs: The Real Reasons Behind 52 Mysterious Canine Behaviors. Big thanks to Summit Hut, Tortolita Treats, and Barbara Hawke for their prize donations!


Doggone Wild! Slideshow

  • Bear & Mia Romp in the San Francisco PeaksBear, our 2-year old rescue mutt loves to hike throughout Arizona. Here she is near Bismark Lake on the San Francisco Peaks outside of Flagstaff with best buddy Mia. Running along hiking trails really helped her come out of her shell & learn to love life again after being abused and abandoned at a local shelter. © Mary Ellen Arndorfer
  • Billie Jack & Whitman Resting at Granite GardensI took this pic on a newly created trail in Prescott, a beautiful outcropping of boulders called "Granite Gardens." It was memorable because half way through the hike it started to pour and we all got soaked. It's also memorable because their hiking days are almost over due to their senior age. When they were younger they'd be out there on a long and arduous hike at my side enjoying all the smells, especially those of horses. I really miss those days, but I will always have plenty sweet and satisfying memories. © Jeri Edwards
  • Bowie's Open SpacesAn enthusiastic and maniacal hiking cyborg/Cocker-Spaniel, Bowie, enjoys a panoramic view of the Sunset Crater area near Flagstaff. © Lindsay Engler
  • Butterscotch Boulder Hops in the DragoonsButterscotch loves to hop from rock to rock to get to the best views. In the Dragoon Mountains, she recommends taking in the sunshine, smelling the wildflowers (and other fascinating things), playing peak-a-boo, and poking around the boulders (but watch out for snakes!). © CassandraScheffman
  • Chaco Surverying the Black RiverI adopted Chaco 4 years ago, and she hasn't missed a backpacking trip yet. I do believe she would slaughter me if I attempted to leave without her. She is the most determined and most loyal hiking buddy anyone could ever ask for. We camped on high bluffs above the Black River, SE of Pacheta Lake. It was a steep, warm descent to the river and Chaco was ready for the water! She hung by my side on the way down until she sniffed water, then she was gone for the water. We are going again in a couple weeks, and I think she already knows somehow. © Jeff Aley
  • Colby!© Kathy Kilmer
  • Concho at Strawberry Crater WildernessOn top one of the cinder volcanoes near Strawberry Crater Wilderness overlooking the Painted Desert. Explore! © Jeff Beauchamp
  • Cooper Ever Vigilant...for BunniesCamping off Hwy 260 SE of Camp Verde in the Coconino NF. Cooper loves to go on point by running ahead and seeing what's out there.He can go, go, go but now that he's eight, he has to take a break once in a while! © Nikki Julien
  • Daisy in the SuperstitionsDaisey loves to hike, backpack, and swim. She also likes to run alongside my bike for her daily exercise. This picture is in front of Flat Iron in the Superstions. © Denise LaDoux
  • Fred, Addison, and Kobe in the MountainsOur pack of dogs love to be outside hiking, camping, and relaxing. This was taken in the Phoenix Mountains with Piestewa Peak in the background. Addison (white feet) is a newly adopted addition to the family and she loves to 'fight' with Fred. We just happened to catch them in what appears to be a sunset hug! Kobe is the calm elder and chooses to reflect rather than partake in their monkey business... © Brian Holterhaus
  • From the Eyes of TenzingPaddle boarding at Bartlett Lake, AZ. Tenzing loves to do all things outdoors - hike, climb rocks, kayak and paddle board! We can never underestimate our little rescue dog and his amazing abilities. You would never guess that 14lbs. of fluff is so capable! © Scott Thomas
  • Gordie Hunting LizardsJuniper Mesa Wilderness. Gordie loved to point out lizards, rabbits & other ground-dwelling creatures and would go to great lengths to show us were they were. © Mike Snodgrass
  • Hana's Backpacking TripHana loves being outside with her rocks. Whether it's in the backyard, or the wilderness, she always finds a rock she wants to play fetch with. With or without the rock, if there's mud she's all about it. She has so much energy that it has routinely taken several days of backpacking to finally get her to lay down during the day. She also is great running companion on training runs. This photo of Hana was taken on the Cabin Loop Trail on the Mogollon Rim. © Nate Finden
  • Holly Berry in Her MuttluksHolly loves finding a good stick to drag back to the trailhead. This photo was taken on the Lost Dog Trail in the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, AZ © Timothy Hanson
  • Jake is Ready to HikeJake getting ready to hike the trails on Juniper Mesa. He's my hiking buddy and loves to get out and explore.... He's "just happy to be". © Mike Snodgrass
  • Joy Scouting for ShedsApache Sitgreaves Forest burn area. Joy loves looking for sheds and old bones. She is an amateur kayaker,but learning fast. Joy also likes cross country skiing catching rides on the back of skis when the snow gets too deep. © Kathryn Melsted
  • Koda at SunsetNever too far from mom's side, Koda is inquisitive yet cautious when he hits the great outdoors. He loves to frolic in the wilderness, but is most comfortable when he is running next to his big sister Hana....all the while keeping an eye on his parents. Koda is intent on enjoying the sunset in the Dragoon Mountains west of Cochise Stronghold. © Heather Finden
  • Leo at Granite CreekThis is Leo at one of the streams that feed Granite Creek on the south end of Prescott, AZ. Leo does most of his exploring outdoors with his nose. I don't know if his ancestors could find truffles but he seems to like to inspect a lot of places where they might be found. © Mark Timpany
  • Levi and Chloe in Grapevine CanyonThe mutts were having a grand time running down in the creek in Grapevine Canyon near Poland Junction outside of Prescott. There were lots of cobwebs and Columbines down there in late summer. When they rejoined my sister and I up on the trail this is what we saw. Levi just sat there so I could take his picture with his new blond curly wig. We laugh and laughed at what we were seeing. Both mutts are since deceased. © Beth Olmstead
  • Lexi and Jackson Cooling Their PawsLexi & Jackson love a dip in the pond after a long walk in the desert near Avondale, Arizona. © Debra Schilling
  • Lily the Intrepid ExplorerI took this shot of Lily as we crested the basalt in the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness. Due to her size, she isn't exactly the most suitable hiking companion, but her heart is always into it! © Aleah Sato
  • Loca's Blissfull Afternoon in the DragoonsAt 14 years old, Loca has been all over the most beautiful places in Arizona. With this many years of experience, she could write the dogs' version, "The Best Hikes with People," and perhaps she already has with all the "messages" she has left along the trail. Here she enjoys a blissful afternoon in one of her favorite places, the Dragoon Mountains. © Cassandra Scheffman
  • Martin Riley Snow FlyingOn a winter day in the Prescott National Forest, Martin Riley celebrates by flying through the snow! © Nichole Trushell
  • Pogo Camping at Lake PowellAlthough Pogo loves the outdoors, he gets cold quite easily and enjoys wearing his barka while camping near Lake Powell. As his name suggests, he particularly loves jumping on rocks and bouncing around rough terrain with the agility of the mountain goat. © Katrina Smith
  • Sam, Charlie & Sophie! On trail #332 behind Thumb Butte! One of our favorite hikes to the creek, because they all LOVE to swim and just run on the trails in the forest! © Patty Meiner
  • Teddy Hiking in Lost Dutchman State ParkTeddy loves exploring AZ and recently did the Siphon Draw Trail. Didn't make it all the way to Flatiron (ran out of water) but we got close. He's hiked, kayaked...he has his own Facebook page "Travels with Teddy" since he's been to so many places in AZ and we love to share his adventures. © Lalaine Dowdell
  • Truffle's PlaygroundTruffle my Chocolate lab absolutely loves the outdoors! She's especially excited when we go to her fav spot close to home - Seven Springs just north of Cave Creek Az. Truffle had 2 litters of puppies and I've kept 3! Zeus, Tiny Tim, and Lily :) And her kids go with us everywhere! Truffle truly is the greatest Dog and the best outdoor partner! © Todd Jostes
  • Whiskers Explores SedonaWhiskers is an extreme sports fanatic. She goes on lot of outdoor adventures. She can run with the mountain bikes for as many as 50 miles. She also likes to hike and kayak and go trail running. She loves to chase lizards, bunnies and squirrels. In Sedona she likes to jump into the swimming holes in Oak creek right along side of me. As you can see from the picture she loves to climb to the top of the mountain and lean out on the ledge and look out over the canyon. © Gill Couto
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Dogs in Wilderness & A Leave No Trace Ethic

We chose our DoggoneWild! photo contest because we know that many nature-lovers have canine friends that they’d like to take with them wherever they go. But we at AWC also strongly promote a Leave No Trace ethic, with the understanding that bringing dogs into the wilderness — as fun as it can be for owners — presents its own set of challenges to maintaining LNT ethics, as well as good neighbor relations!

We’d like to take this opportunity to remind folks to review the 7 LNT Principles, and to be adequately prepared to allow yourself, your pet, and others to have a safe and enjoyable wilderness experience.

Please also use the following guidance to decide whether a camping trip is a good fit in the first place:

  • As a rule, if you have not previously introduced your dog to the wild with many day hikes and picnics, don't bring him camping.
  • Please be courteous to others’ wilderness experience. If your dog is generally noisy, excitable, or poorly behaved at home, a camping trip will NOT improve his behavior—nor your rapport with anyone within earshot.
  • Lastly, for your dog’s safety, please remember that wild areas can be very dangerous places for pets. Use great care when bringing your pet with you, and follow all LNT protocol for food, supplies, and waste to decrease the potential for unwanted confrontations between wild animals and your pet.

In short, if you are not confident that you can maintain control of Fido at all times during the campout, you'll do him - and other wilderness-lovers - a favor by leaving him at home.

-Arizona Wilderness Coalition mission statement