I spend a lot of time behind my keyboard every day, so getting out in nature is a special treat.

Photo Val Davidson // TSM

A little over a year ago, I met Beth. A transplant from the east coast, Beth was slowly but surely falling in love with the Arizona desert. As an avid hiker, Beth got me out of my desk chair and into my hiking boots.

Dog-Friendly Hikes

You can't have a friend like Beth without also befriending her dog, Foxy. Foxy is a husky/shibu inu mix adopted from the Tombstone Animal Shelter.

Photo Val Davidson // TSM

A little over a year old, Foxy had been returned to the shelter at least twice. She has a lot of energy. Not so easy to manage for a working couple who have to leave her home all day. A perfect fit for someone as active as Beth.

When the pair found each other, it was a match made in heaven. Together, they found some of the best spots to hike. They invited my dog Latte and me along for some of the adventures.

Beth giving Foxy and Latte treats on a hike. Photo Val Davidson // TSM

1. Hiking Brewery Gulch to Juniper Flats in Bisbee, Arizona

Before the monsoon rains settled in, we found a lot of adventure in Brewery Gulch in Bisbee. This is an easy hike with a few challenging passages. It wasn't too challenging for either hikers or dogs. There are places of shade, but also some open and sloping hills.

The Foxy and Latte gave this 3 out of 5 tail wags.

Brewery Gulch. Karen Flynn via YouTube

If you're interested, you could hike from Brewery Gulch to Juniper Flats. Check out this video from user Karen Flynn on YouTube for more:

2. Hiking in Warren

We also hiked above Warren on the other side of Bisbee. Not quite as shady as the Gulch, but with beautiful views. This dog-friendly spot is a lot flatter than Brewery Gulch but still has a lot of adventure for two curious pooches.

It's best to take a lot of water for both you and your dogs. Plan to hike later in the afternoon or evening when the weather cools down since there isn't as much shade.

Foxy and Latte give this 4 out of 5 tail wags.

3. Hiking the San Pedro River

We all love hiking the San Pedro River. This hiking spot has the best of all options - it's not too steep, the shade is plentiful, and although you have to climb or navigate fallen trees from time to time, overall, this is a favorite hike for both dogs and humans.

Foxy and Latte give this hike 5 out of 5 tail wags.

Photo Val Davidson // TSM

LOOK: Longest-living dog breeds

To find out the longest-living dog breeds, Stacker examined data from the journal Genetics and American Kennel Club's 2023 breed popularity rankings.

RANKED: Here Are the 63 Smartest Dog Breeds

Does your loyal pup's breed make the list? Read on to see if you'll be bragging to the neighbors about your dog's intellectual prowess the next time you take your fur baby out for a walk. Don't worry: Even if your dog's breed doesn't land on the list, that doesn't mean he's not a good boy--some traits simply can't be measured.

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