23 Days Until Trek - Pets on the Trail

When you envision the pioneers traveling along the trail, what animals to you picture? Oxen? Horses? A Milk Cow? Latter-day Saints gathered to Zion to create a heaven on earth. For a lot of us, heaven wouldn't be heaven without our animal friends. During your four days of Trek, you'll be away from your pets. After an absence, they'll be so excited to see you. If you ever create a painting of Latter-day Saint pioneers on the trail, consider throwing in some beehives, or some chickens or cats. If you do, your painting will be historically accurate.

“Sometimes, husbands and fathers tried to make westering easier for their families by letting them bring along favorite pets. When Heber C. Kimball took his second trip along the trail in 1848, the animals accompanying his train read like a small zoo: oxen, horses, mules, cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, cats, dogs, goats, geese, doves, a squirrel and some beehives! The squirrel, cats, and dogs were obviously someone’s pets, although cats earned their way by mousing and dogs helped hunt and also gave early warning of Indians. Some captains discouraged having dogs, fearing that their barking would attract Indians, scare game away, or cause stampedes.”

Selection from Stanley B. and Violet T. Kimball's 2011 book, Villages on Wheels: A Social History of the Gathering to Zion.

AI-generated image. A little strange, but it makes my point.