The Swedish members of Team Peak Performance started out as a team of four in a 430-mile adventure race through the Amazon. By the time they finished the race in Ecuador, they had added a 5th member, a canine named Arthur.
Arthur’s story, including his subsequent relocation to Sweden, has captured the world’s attention. This is a classic case of a dog choosing its adoptive owner.
It started when Captain Mikael Lindnord threw a stray dog a meatball at a rest break. A 24-mile rainforest hike, one leg of the race, was about to begin and the stray kept pace with the team. When the team entered its kayaks for a water part of the race, the stray (now named Arthur) jumped in to swim and stay with them.
“The organisers advised us not to bring Arthur, as it could be unsafe on the water,” explained Mr Lindnord.
“But when we set off in the kayaks, he started swimming after us. It was too heart-breaking and we felt we couldn’t leave him, so we picked him up. We could hear the people cheer on the shore as we set off.”
Mikael and Arthur during the race Photo by: Krister Göransson/Peak Performance
Mikael has now adopted Arthur and brought him back to Sweden to become a member of the family.
Arthur and his new family at the airport
Recognizing that Arthur’s story has touched many who want to help other strays, the team has set up the Arthur Foundation to receive donations.
You can follow Arthur’s progress on the Team’s Facebook page.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
DoggyMom.com 