ACTION IV

March 11 - 18th, 2017 - Dogsledding

Thanks to the lovely child life specialist at CancerCare Manitoba, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime: to participate on a week long dog sledding expedition in Charlevoix, Quebec. This trip, organized by “On The Tip of the Toes Foundation” was a therapeutic adventure for teenagers who are going through or have survived childhood cancer. It was there in the wilderness where I met thirteen amazing people who quickly became my friends, along with six equally awesome adults. Really, I could write a whole novel about this trip, but that defeats the purpose of a blog.

So basically, this is a giant cancer perk; one of those aspects of my life that cancer has improved. It was an adventure meant to test your physical and mental abilities to enable you to push yourself beyond what you thought you were capable of. After treatment, the body is weak and beaten. Dogsledding for five hours or more a day is definitely a great way to force your body into being strong again. I didn't realize how much of a sport this really is. It requires focus, strength and a connection with the dogs who are your wheels, so you better respect them. I'm proud to say I pushed my body to its limits. We went a very long I-don't-know-how-many-kilometers snow shoe hike, uphill. I thought I couldn't make it as I was very out of shape. I wasn't the only one so that's good. One of the leaders, Mario taught us how to go slow and steady to preserve our strength. The majority of people were far ahead so it was a little disheartening but all that matters is that we did it! Getting to the top and collapsing was the best and gave me great satisfaction.

I went into this trip not really knowing what to expect, and came out of it feeling better than I had in years. It’s amazing how well you can bond with someone while sharing a dog sled - one ski per person or with those who have different first languages. When you have something as significant as cancer to connect you, who cares if you speak French or English? We all became friends, and I got to brush up on my French, which was fun. Teamwork is necessary if you wish to stay on the sled, on the other hand, wiping out with someone is equally as bonding, as I experienced.

Laughing away with Marjorie and my original dog team after wiping out minutes before this photo.

Being with over sixty dogs in one place is the greatest thing ever for a dog lover like me. They were so sweet and loving and I was always eager to help with feeding and tending to them. I almost memorized all of their names, but some of them looked very similar and some were related, so you can see how this would be difficult. This trip taught me how valuable life is and how we shouldn’t waste it, which is super cliche, I know. But really, adventure therapy is an incredible concept - the healing it provides is astounding. I left Quebec feeling light as a feather with the emotional weight of cancer off my shoulders. It ignited a desire in me to travel, because seeing the world and experiencing new things is so important! I learned a great deal about myself, the earth, people and animals. I connected with the elements of earth and with myself. For the first time in a while, I felt at peace with everything. As a great woman said on the trip, go out and fill your backpack with life. Pack it full with experiences and fun, let it overflow. Life is meant to be lived, so get out there.

Goofin' around after a long snow shoe trek uphill that almost killed me.

(I realize this is hard to do if you don’t have the money, but I’m speaking figuratively. Don’t just sit on the couch, go do something, appreciate nature. Look for life’s splendors).