Products We Recommend – Earth Animal Tick & Flea Control

The days of not needing to worry about ticks are long gone as the reports of ticks, and tick-borne diseases are mounting. Green Acres has declined to carry many of the products available on the market promoted for flea and tick control due to the nature of the chemicals in these products and the potential toxicity for your pets. We continue to believe that it is in your pet’s best interest to purchase products containing insecticides directly from your veterinarian as they are equipped to discuss the benefits of those products as well as the risks. However, we are pleased to now offer several products from Earth Animal for protection from ticks and fleas that are both effective and safe.

Who Is Earth Animal?

Earth Animal is an American company owned by veterinarian Dr. Bob Goldstein and Susan Goldstein. Since 1979 they have been dedicated to helping thousands of dog and cat parents achieve their pets’ health and healing objectives with natural products. If your dog is a fan of No-Hide® dog chews, the safe alternative to rawhide, then you are already familiar with Earth Animal and have an understanding of their commitment to quality.

Earth Animal’s Approach to Tick & Flea Control

Earth Animal flea and tick products are NOT toxic pesticides designed to kill fleas and ticks. Instead Earth Animal uses a two-step protocol using herbs, essential oils, flower essences, nutrients, vitamins and minerals to repel ticks and fleas from both the inside and outside of your pet. All of these products are 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Green Acres Experience with Earth Animal

We started evaluating the Earth Animal flea and tick products with our own pets (and ourselves) late last summer. We liked the results we saw, along with the company’s satisfaction guarantee and commitment to quality and safety. We know that many of you, just like us, are looking for a non-toxic, yet effective product for keeping your precious pet free of fleas and ticks.

Earth Animal Flea & Tick Products In-Stock

Internal Products

Daily Herbal Internal Powder (Yeast Free) – This product is made with a blend of organic herbs to change your pet’s odor so that fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes do not like the scent of the blood. This odor change is undetectable to humans.

Daily Internal Powder – Made with a blend of vitamins, nutrients, and brewer’s yeast that changes your pet’s odor so that fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes do not like the scent of the blood, thus taking your pet off the menu. This odor change is undetectable to humans.

Organic Daily Herbal Drops – Made with a blend of organic herbs to help guard your pet against fleas and ticks. These drops also help to quiet reactions from flea bites.

External Products

Flea & Tick Collar – This natural alternative to synthetic chemical collars is infused with herbs and essential oils and has a fresh, minty fragrance. The key ingredients are Cedarwood Oil and Peppermint Oil, which is non-offensive to our pets but repulsive to fleas, ticks, and other biting insects.

Flea & Tick Spot-On – This is the alternative to topical repellents made with chemicals and insecticides. It is a natural blend of Peppermint oil, Cedarwood oil and Almond oil which are non-offensive to our pets but repel fleas, ticks, and other biting insects.

Herbal Bug Spray – Made with a blend of essential oils, this spray helps to guard against fleas, ticks, and other biting insects, while remaining free of DEET and other pesticides and insecticides,

It is important to remember that Earth Animal products are designed to repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes as opposed to many other products that contain insecticides which are intended to kill these pests.

Click to view and print a PDF – FAQ’s About Earth Animal Tick & Flea products

2017 Holiday Gift Ideas for Cats, Dogs, and Their People

It is the holidays, and once again it is time for us to find that special gift for our favorite feline, our delightful dog, and maybe even for our family members, friends, and co-workers who have pets. Green Acres Kennel Shop has come up with a list of gift ideas. To make it easy for you, we have categorized our recommendations by cats, dogs, cats and dogs, and people, Happy gift giving!

Especially for Cats

The Kong Company is well known for their dog toys, and they are stepping up the game with cat toys.

Kong Refillables are soft, snuggly, and plush. However, best of all, each one has a re-closable pouch to securely hold fresh catnip. The toys include a generous amount of KONG’s premium North American catnip in a re-closable vial.

When the catnip scent starts to fade, just add more fresh catnip for another round of fun! Catnip can be stored in the freezer to help keep it fresh. The toy is machine washable with the catnip removed.

Watch your cat attack, wrestle and snuggle with its KONG Kickeroo. This unique cat toy appeals to a cat’s instinctive desire to stalk and capture prey. The Kickeroo’s size, shape, and material were specially chosen to promote wrestling and hind paw kicking.

The fluffy tail provides movement for extra excitement, not to mention there is a generous amount of KONG’s potent North American catnip inside to further encourage play. Don’t be surprised if the Kickeroo becomes your cat’s favorite toy.

The KONG Snake Teaser is perfect for fun, interactive play and a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your cat. Irresistible feathers and unpredictable movement will stimulate your feline friend’s natural hunting instincts and provide beneficial exercise. The Snake Teaser is sure to bring out the playful tiger in any cat. Durable and safe, this item is for supervised play only.

Vital Essential Cat Treats – Cats appreciate treats just like our dogs do, but so many of the cat treats on the market are filled with unhealthy ingredients. Why not give your cat a treat that they will love and that is good for them. Vital Essentials cat treats come in a wide variety of formulas, and all are 100% freeze-dried meat. You can choose from Wild Alaskan Salmon, Chicken Breast, Chicken Giblets, Minnows, Duck Liver, Rabbit, and Ahi Tuna. Treat your cat like the friend you know they are!

Beco Cat Bowls – If you have not noticed, our cats are sensitive to their environment, including the types of dishes we use to feed them. The Beco Bowl for cats has a much lower rim so that our feline friend’s sensitive whiskers do not brush up against the sides making dinner time that much easier. Many sophisticated cats may refuse to eat out of a metal or plastic bowl, but because Beco’s bamboo plastic is toxin-free, they will happily eat out of the Beco Bowl. We have been using the Beco bowls in the cattery at Green Acres for a year now, and the cats love them

Especially for Dogs

Benebone Chews – Dogs love to chew, so one of the gifts you can give them that you will both appreciate is a chew toy. Our favorite new chew toys come from a company called Benebone; a small, family owned company that makes these fantastic treats right here in the USA. Benebone products are chew toys made of super-strong nylon and food-grade bacon, peanuts, and chicken. They use no chemicals or artificial flavors. The Wishbone comes in three sizes and three flavors while the Dental Chew comes in three flavors and two sizes. Our dogs love their Benebone’s and believe your dog would love one in their stocking.

Beco Environmentally Friendly Toys – Although your dog has probably not told you they are an eco-warrior, the fact is degradations in our environment are even more harmful to our pets than they are to us. That is why we love Beco Pets, a company that makes eco-friendly, long lasting and fun products for pets.

The Beco Hoop on a Rope is made from 100% natural rice husk rubber and is attached to natural cotton rope. It is designed to be as stretchy and flexible as possible. It is the perfect toy for older dogs with fragile teeth, and the smaller version offers a great teether for any puppy, as it is soft and lightweight, while really durable.

Each Beco Soft Toy has an irresistible squeaker inside, and its covers are double cross stitched making them especially durable! These toys are made from recycled plastic bottles and are named after employees at Beco.

The Beco Jungle Triple Knot is the perfect rope toy for long distance throwing and fetch. The Beco Rope toys are made from 98% Hemp and 2% recycled cotton. Hemp is a very eco-friendly material as it grows very quickly and no pesticides or fertilizers are used in the growing process. Most importantly though it is better for your dog as unlike cotton and synthetic ropes, it has very short fibers which are more easily digestible. The short fibers mean that hemp is tougher than cotton or synthetic ropes, as it is harder for the dog to pull apart. Beco Hemp rope toys are better for you dog and better for the environment.

Ruffwear Toys & Coats – Ruffwear makes great clothing and toys for dogs.

The Ruffwear Huckama™ Rubber Throw Toy moves like a critter and is fun to chase. This durable, interactive toy keeps dogs engaged with its erratic bounce and roll. The hollow design accepts food for treat rewards and whistles when hurled through the air. Made from sustainable, natural latex rubber, a renewable resource.

The Ruffwear Gourdo™ Rubber Throw Toy rubber toy is designed for interactive play, from tugging to throwing, this durable rubber toy does it all. The kernmantle [really, strong and flexible] rope lanyard makes it easy to throw and pick up, while avoiding the slobbery rubber end.

Please note: All Ruffwear toys are interactive and intended for supervised play. They are not designed to be chew toys. Once the interactive play has finished, place the Ruffwear toy out of your dog’s reach and replace with a designated chew toy.

The Ruffwear Front Range™ Harness is an everyday harness that is easy to put on and comfortable for dogs to wear. The harness features two leash attachment points: an aluminum V-ring centered on the dog’s back for everyday walks, and reinforced webbing at the dog’s chest for training or additional control. The ID pocket keeps dog tags quiet and easily accessible.

We live in Maine and let’s admit it; sometimes even our dogs are happier in a coat. The Ruffwear Overcoat™ is a classic cold-weather utility jacket. This vest-style jacket is built with sturdy, durable materials to keep up with the most active dog. Wind- and water-resistant outer fabric protects against harsh elements, while interior recycled polyester fleece lining keeps body heat in. Side-release buckles on both sides provide easy on/off, and a leash portal allows the Overcoat to be worn over our Front Range™ Harness.

Another favorite dog toy at Green Acres is made right here in Maine. The Floating Rope Fetch Toy by Downeast Nautical is a favorite, especially for dogs that love the water! My dog Muppy is a certified landlubber but still loves retrieving her rope toy when I toss it from the living room to the far end of the kitchen.

This fall we brought in a new line of soft toys from Tall Tails. The Tall Tails Plush Squirrel is inspired by the outdoors and is designed for endless interactive play. The squeaker is sewn into a separate pouch and stitched into the seam for extra protection against choking, while the plush exterior makes for a soft and friendly companion. While I was writing this post, my dog Muppy found this toy on the floor where I had inadvertently dropped it. I heard the noise, knew she was having fun, and realized that due to my inattention I had just bought her a new toy. Muppy gives the Tall Tails Plush Squirrel 5 Paws. She is sure that your dog would also like the Chipmunk, Duck, Goose, Fish and other toys in the Tall Tails family.

Vital Essentials Treats and Snacks – A favorite line of training treats are the Freeze Dried Meat Treats from Vital Essentials. They are small, high value, come in a variety of flavors, and are a very healthy option. Please note, that while labeled dog treats, cats love these treats as well.

Training treats are great for training and giving our dog a small reward; however, like most of us, I occasionally like to give Muppy a special snack. That is when I go to the Vital Essentials Raw Bar for the tasty and healthy snacks she loves. Muppy’s personal favorites are the freeze-dried chicken necks and duck necks. They are the perfect size for her. Other dogs love the cod skins, salmon skins, turkey necks, turkey wings, and bully sticks. If you are looking for a high value and healthy snack, check-out the selection at the Vital Essentials Raw Bar.

Earth Animal No-Hide Chews are a healthier and more digestible alternative to Rawhide. No-Hide Chews gives new meaning to dog snack. They are more durable and digestible than any other chew on the market and dogs love them.

No-Hide Chews are available in Chicken, Beef, and their new Pork flavor.

Especially for Both Cats and Dogs

Raw Rewards Treats from Northwest Naturals are the latest addition to our treat selection at the Green Acres Kennel Shop. One of the things we like about these treats is that they are equally yummy to dogs and cats. However, we also love that they are manufactured in a quality controlled USDA human food inspected facility from meat sourced in the USA and New Zealand. These freeze-dried treats have only a single ingredient, making them ideal for pets with food-related sensitivities. Raw Rewards Beef Liver, Bison Liver, Chicken Liver, Lamb Liver, Pork Liver and Salmon treats are highly palatable and easy to feed.

Especially for People with Pets

At the top of my gift recommendations for dog owners, this year is the new book A Kids’ Comprehensive Guide to Speaking Dog! by Niki Tudge –If your family includes children and a dog, if you have children that spend time with friends and family members that have a dog, or if you have a dog that spends any time around children, you, your children, and your dog will benefit from your reading A Kids’ Comprehensive Guide to Speaking Dog!.

The goal of this new book from author Niki Tudge and Doggone Safe is to provide a resource that anyone can use to teach children how to be safe around dogs by teaching them how to “speak dog.” As a dog training instructor that teaches both adults and children how to train their dogs, we make teaching canine body language part of our classes. What I have learned over the past 22 years is that before taking a dog training class, even most adults are not aware of most aspects of “speaking dog,” which is why I believe this book will be of value to both children and adults.

A Kids’ Comprehensive Guide to Speaking Dog! is written to be used as an interactive resource and uses cartoons and photographs to illustrate body language dogs use to signal when they are happy, afraid, and angry. By teaching children, and adults, how to read and respond to these signs the book helps keep people and dogs safe. The world is full of children and dogs, and it is essential that we teach them how to interact safely. A Kids’ Comprehensive Guide to Speaking Dog! combined with a parent or teacher does just that. I give this book five paws!

If you have a pet, you have pet hair in places where you would rather not have pet hair. The easiest and most effective way to remove that pet hair is with the Fur-Zoff. This simple tool does the job far better than anything else we have found. Bangor’s own amazing automobile detailer Jesse Bell of Adept Auto Detailing swears by his Fur-Zoff.

A Green Acres Kennel Shop Gift Card – If you just cannot decide or are unsure what to get, you cannot go wrong with a Green Acres Kennel Shop Gift Card. Available in the denominations of $5 and up, they can be used for any product or services at Green Acres Kennel Shop.

Summer Pet Care Tips

< Updated 17JUN21 >

< A short link to this page – http://bit.ly/Summer-Pet-Tips >

< Listen to our most recent Woof Meow Show podcast on this topic >

< Listen to a 2021 interview on this topic from WGUY A Local Affair >

As summer approaches, not only do the temperatures rise, but we also tend to spend more time outside enjoying the beautiful weather. With the warm weather come some potential dangers and several things that need to be considered if we are to keep our pets safe and healthy. With a few simple precautions, summer can be a time of great fun for both you and your pets. So simply, take the time to plan ahead and have a great summer!

The Heat & Sun

Our pets, especially the young, elderly, and overweight, are at increased risk for dehydration and heatstroke as the temperatures rise; both can be life-threatening.

Signs of heat exhaustion include:

rapid breathing
heavy panting
excessive salivation
fatigue
unsteadiness and staggering
muscle tremors
glazed eyes
a fast pulse

Signs of even more dangerous heat stroke include:

high body temperature
vomiting & diarrhea
a deep red or purple tongue and gums
collapse

If you observe these symptoms in your pet, you need to get your pet out of the heat immediately, and you need to contact a veterinarian as quickly as possible. You can use cool water (not cold!) to cool down your pet, as you transport them to your veterinarian. Do NOT place an overheated pet in cold water. Misting them with cool water and placing wet towels on their neck, chest, and limbs will aid in cooling during transport. Offer them ice chips but do NOT force them to drink.

If your pet experiences heat-related distress, they need to be seen by your veterinarian, even if they seem to be okay, to rule out any unseen damage.

Things you can do to help prevent heat-related injuries are:

If you leave a pet in the car, you need to check on them every few minutes – No Exceptions! When the temperature outside is 80 degrees, the temperature inside your vehicle will reach 100 degrees in 15 minutes, and 120 degrees in 30 minutes, even with the windows open half-way. Leaving your pet in your car in the summer can be fatal!
Once the outside temperature reaches 70, if your pet doesn’t need to go with you, the best place for them is at home.
Do not rely on the vehicle’s air conditioning, or if you do, you must continue to check on your pet every few minutes to ensure that the car and AC are still running.
Make sure your pet always has access to fresh cool water, and if outside, shade. Be aware that not all dogs will move out of the sun when they need to, so if they are outside, you need to check on them regularly.
Keep your pet well groomed, and if they have a long or dense coat and undercoat, make sure you keep it mat free. Your pet’s guard hair, or outer coat, actually acts as an insulator which keeps them from overheating in the summer and warm in the winter. We generally do not recommend shaving down an animal with a double coat unless there is a medical reason or if the coat is severely matted and brushing out the mats would cause the pet distress. < FMI – Should you shave your dogs this summer? – http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-you-shouldnt-shave-your-dog-in-summer/ >
If the sun can get to your pet’s skin, you will need to apply sunscreen regularly or keep them out of the sun, to avoid sunburn.
Brachycephalic pets (those with short noses like Pugs and Persians) often have a more difficult time breathing in hot, humid weather because of their squashed noses, and are even more susceptible to heat-related
When you go for walks or enjoy other outdoor activities with your pets, make sure you bring along enough fresh cool water for them. Also, it helps to plan these activities for early morning or late evening when the temperatures are a bit cooler. You should be just as concerned about the temperature of the surface you are walking on (asphalt) as the air temperature.
Make sure your pet does not overly exert themselves. Exercise is essential, but too much activity when it’s hot and humid contributes to dehydration and can result in heatstroke. Like some people, not all pets know when to stop and rest.
Avoid walking your pet on asphalt. Asphalt absorbs heat and can become hot enough to burn the pads on your pet’s feet. Check surfaces by placing the back of your hand on the surface and hold it there for five seconds. If the temperature is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog’s Either walk your dog on the grass or use paw wax or dog boots designed to protect their pads.
To keep ourselves comfortable, we often to keep windows open during the summer months. Make sure screens are secure so that your pet cannot escape or accidentally fall out of a window.

Posters To Remind You ( click on image to download )

Water Safety

The summer months also bring more opportunities to play in the water for both people and pets. While it brings much joy, water also is a source of concern. Some things to consider:

Many dogs enjoy swimming, but some dogs don’t swim well, and even the best swimmers can get tired. Life jackets for dogs can save lives.
If you have a pool, your dog needs to be supervised whenever they have access to the pool. You should take the time to train your dog how to enter and exit the pool from the shallow end safely. A life vest is just as appropriate for the pool as it is for the pond, lake, or ocean.
Saltwater can damage a dog’s coat and skin, so after any ocean dips take the time to hose them down with fresh water.
Don’t let your pet stay wet! For some dogs, wet fur can lead to skin irritations, otherwise known as “hot spots.” These can be a source of discomfort and infection for your pet.

Bug Bites, Parasites, and Pollen

Insects also enjoy the summer weather, and if they are a pest to us, they may be a pest to your dog and cat as well.

Black Flies, Maine’s special nemesis, seem to love to feast on the tender underbellies of both dogs and cats. While some pets are oblivious, some react the same way we do, itching, scratching, and the equivalent of pet cursing. There are several insect repellents that are safe to use on pets that will help keep black fly and mosquito bites to a minimum. Please stop by and ask us about the latest products we have in the store to combat these pesky pests. Before using an insect repellent for humans on your pet, read the label. Many products for humans, even kids, may not be safe for pets. Avoid products containing DEET!
During the summer months, our pets are at risk of getting heartworm from a mosquito bite. This parasitic worm is more of a threat to dogs, but even in cats, it can be fatal. Discuss heartworm testing and prevention with your pet’s veterinarian at their annual exam.
Ticks have become a very serious problem in Main, and it’s no longer just Lyme disease that is a concern. Tick-borne conditions we now need to worry about include; Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme (Borrelia burgdorferi), Powassan Encephalitis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. There may be other tick-borne diseases not yet detected in Maine or not yet identified by medical science. The symptoms of tick-borne diseases go well beyond the classic bullseye rash and joint pain, and can even include severe behavioral symptoms. < FMI – Tick-borne diseases in Maine – A Physician’s Reference Manual – https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/documents/tick-reference-guide.pdf >. The May 25, 2018 issue of The Week notes “Ticks and mosquitoes that can be found in the woods, fields, and even cities are transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and a host of other illnesses. Reported cases of these diseases more than tripled in 2004 and 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
- Keeping your yard well-maintained is key to keeping your pets tick free. Keeping the grass short and keeping the pets out of the brush are recommended. At Green Acres Kennel Shop we have been using a service to treat our lawn areas every month with a safe repellent made from essential oils, and it works very well. If you would like more information, contact Don.
- You may also wish to use products with your pets to keep them safe from ticks. You have many choices. At Green Acres Kennel Shop, we are currently recommending safe and effective products from Earth Animal in the form of collars, liquid topical and herbs your pet gets in the form of a powder or liquid. < FMI – Products We Recommend – Earth Animal Tick & Flea Control – http://bit.ly/PrdRec-EarthAnimalTick-Flea >.
- You should also definitely talk to your veterinarian about preventative products if your pet is likely to be in areas where they may pick up ticks. A discussion with your veterinarian is essential if you have multiple species of pets in your home as some of the products used for tick and flea controls on one species may be harmful to others. Also, be aware that the FDA has issued warnings on some of these products. < FMI – Animal Drug Safety Communication: FDA Alerts Pet Owners and Veterinarians About Potential for Neurologic Adverse Events Associated with Certain Flea and Tick Products – https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/animal-drug-safety-communication-fda-alerts-pet-owners-and-veterinarians-about-potential-neurologic
Fleas become more of a problem, particularly towards the end of summer. These small insects like to live, feed, and breed on our pets. Feeding involves a bite to get a blood meal, which causes the classic itch response we see in many pets. Some pets are more allergic to flea bites, and just a couple of fleas can make their lives miserable; severe infestations can even cause anemia.
- Products to control fleas, often from the same sources cited above for use with ticks can be very helpful. Our personal preference is for those that are the least toxic, and are least likely to harm or pets, while still being effective.
While rare, pets can have an allergic reaction to being stung by bees, wasps, and the like. Such a sting can be more severe for brachycephalic pets because their breathing is already compromised due to their anatomy. If you suspect such a reaction, you need to get your pet to a veterinarian immediately.
Tree and grass pollens make my eyes water, nose run, and if the lawn has just been mowed, I itch all over. Some pets can also experience seasonal allergies. In addition to those above, another common manifestation of seasonal allergies is the continual licking and chewing of feet. If you see these symptoms, talk to your veterinarian, and they can assist you in finding relief for your pet.

Outdoor Chemicals

Lawn fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, rodenticides and all sorts of other “…cides” are used routinely in our environment to kill something we don’t like. These poisons can all be toxic to our pets, and since our animals cannot read little lawn signs or product labels, we need to watch out for them. Read product labels and keep your pet away from areas where these products have been applied. Remember – our pets aren’t wearing gloves or shoes but run around naked and then clean themselves by licking, increasing their exposure to these products.

While we usually think of mulch as pretty innocuous, cocoa mulch can be deadly if ingested and has a delicious scent to some animals.

Family & Holiday Gatherings

Summer is also a time for family gatherings, celebrations, and vacations. Depending on your pet’s temperament, these can range from good times to scary events. These simple rules will help you keep your pet safe during the festivities.

Put your dog in his crate with a bone or favorite chew toy, at least during the most hectic times – when guests are arriving and leaving as well as when meals are being prepared and served. Make sure your guests know that they are to leave your pet alone in this situation.
Assign one adult to be in charge of each of the dogs, to watch for signs of stress and to protect the dog from unwanted attention from children. At the same time, assign one adult to supervise each baby or toddler, with no other tasks assigned to them. Make sure that ALL interactions between pets and children are supervised by an adult.
Not every dog likes every person – ALWAYS let your dog decide if they want to meet someone new.
If you are quite sure your pet will not enjoy the increased activity due to the event, or if you will be more relaxed knowing your pet is in a safe, pleasant environment, consider boarding your pet the day and night of the event.
Fireworks, with their loud booms and bright flashes of light, can be very frightening to pets. If they’re right in your backyard or your neighbor’s backyard, they can not only be alarming but can pose a danger to our pets. Keep your pets inside during any personal firework activity. If you go someplace to see the fireworks, I would advise you to leave your pet at home in a safe, quiet location. They’ll be glad you did.

Vacations & Traveling with Your Pet

While there are more hotels, resorts, and campgrounds that are “pet-friendly,” most do not allow you to leave the pet in your room or at your campsite unattended. That may limit where you can go and what you can do on your vacation as there are many places pets are not allowed, such as restaurants, museums, and other tourist attractions.

If you travel with your pet, even just to camp, make sure they are wearing ID tags or have been micro-chipped. You may want a unique ID tag just for when you travel that lists your mobile phone number or the name of the place you and your pet are staying.
Take your pet’s medical records with you as well as contact information for your regular veterinarian. If you are more than an hour’s drive from your veterinarian, make sure you have phone numbers of other veterinarians in the area where you are staying.
If you go hiking or camping with your pet, plan ahead. Make sure you have sufficient water and snacks for both of you, a first aid kit, as well as poop bags. Have your dog on a leash – it’s the law in Maine and is intended to keep your pet and others safe. If your dog is frightened by something and runs off, you might not get him back. Lastly, have a plan in mind for getting your dog to safety if they become sick or injured on the hike. If you are alone, weigh 115lbs, and your dog weighs 120lbs, could you carry them to safety 5 miles away?