Meet Arthur, an extreme canine athlete who earned his place on a team during a competition. This remarkable story of kindness leading to friendship will warm your heart.
Unexpected encounters in life often result in the most precious bonds and connections. A group of extreme sports athletes did not expect to meet a precious friend while they were out competing in the Amazon jungle.
Sweden’s Peak Performance team gained a new canine friend while participating in the 430-mile Adventure Racing World Championship in Ecuador.
An Extreme Canine Athlete Joins the Team
While on the trail during the said competition, the team met a homeless dog in the jungle. The athletes were enjoying their dinner break when they noticed a dog, lingering, looking for food scraps. According to team captain Mikael Lindnord, they gave the dog (who they named Arthur) some meatballs. After a few more precious minutes of rest, the team went ahead to continue their long trek. To their surprise, Arthur followed closely behind!
The athletes thought Arthur was just hungry and needed more food. But after feeding him again, the team saw that the dog continued to follow them. It seemed like the stray dog grew attached to the group of people who helped him when he was starving. Arthur joined his new friends on their adventure – even staying with them through the most treacherous terrain.
At one point, the team considered leaving Arthur behind because he could not keep up with the water crossing challenge. The homeless dog surprised them by swimming after their kayaks! Mikael and his teammates could not believe it! They all looked on in awe as Arthur swam in the dangerous waters, wanting to be with his new friends till the end.
According to Mikael, the organizers advised them to leave the dog behind. Aside from the fact that Arthur can slow them down, his size may attract predators in the water. But when they saw the dog’s determination to be with them, they picked him up and took him with them.
Sweden’s Peak Performance team eventually crossed the finished line together with their honorary member, Arthur. Everybody expressed their love for the dog with an unwavering fighting spirit! With that, Mikael arranged the documents required to take the dog with him back to Sweden. He said he came to Ecuador to win a championship, but instead, he gained something far more valuable – a friendship for life.
It is wonderful to adopt a homeless dog but you must know what is involved in owing a dog before you do so. Read here to educate yourself before adopting a dog. https://happymutt.org/can-you-afford-to-own-a-dog/
credits: Daily Mail UK