VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

We just got back from a rained-out camping trip to Nitinat (the rain was fine - but there was no wind) and while we were there we were adopted by a young male black lab (or black lab cross) who happily marked his territory by peeing on all our tent corners (that made me very happy).

Anyway . . . this is a nice dog (except for peeing on our tents) . . . appears to be very used to children . . . he even followed us when we left the campground. He is limping and it appears from the ruff on his neck that he did have a collar on recently . . . does anyone have any idea who he may belong to? Perhaps he jumped out of someone's truck?

I would have brought him down to the SPCA but I was fully loaded with children and wet gear. I don't think I could have driven that road with a wet dog on my lap too! Besides the danger that he may have marked his territory on me too . . .

Did you try contacting the staff at the Nitinat store? I've seen a few dogs from the village wander into the campground for days on end. I've heard some of the people from the village get irritated with campers when they assume that their dog is a stray and take them home. Many of the dogs there have no tags. Nice to know someone is looking out for them however.

Good luck! Hope the smell comes out of the tent...

It never occurred to me to check at the store - I guess it may be a good thing that I couldn't fit a wet dog in my vehicle! If someone else goes to Nitinat and finds out the dog is homeless it would make an excellent family dog - it followed us into the water and the stink-boxes, guarded our tents, ate our leftovers . . .