The Story of a Man and His Canine Companion United by Affection and Excitement
In a heartwarming moment, an explorer introduced his young daughter to the loyal furry friend who has garnered global attention by taking in a stray dog that tagged along during a race through the dense jungles of Ecuador.
Mikael Lindnor and his team were near the end of the 430-mile Adventure Racing World Championship when they noticed a weary dog wandering near them.
Feeling compassion for the lonely dog, Mikael gave him a meatball, sparking a strong bond that lasted throughout the challenging race. The dog refused to leave Mikael’s side, sticking with the team as they kayaked down rivers, climbed hills, and trudged through muddy terrain.
Impressed by his commitment and resilience, they christened him Arthur and welcomed him as an honorary member of their Peak Performance Adventure Racing squad. By the end of it all, Mikael and Arthur had formed a strong bond, prompting Mikael to officially adopt the dog and take him home.
After completing a grueling six-day jungle trek in South America, Mikael and his team made the decision to bring Arthur to a local veterinarian for treatment.
During that period, Mikael came to the realization that they couldn’t just abandon Arthur after what they had gone through together. So, he decided to officially adopt him and bring him to Sweden. After applying to the Swedish Board of Agriculture, they were informed that they would have to wait for the decision.
After a few anxious days, the team finally reunited with Arthur at the airport and headed back to Sweden. However, due to Europe’s strict quarantine regulations, Arthur now has to undergo medical checks and wait in an animal isolation facility to ensure he is free of any diseases.
Mikael mentioned that Arthur will have plenty of space to play outside and even a dog dentist at his disposal. He added that his daughter Philippa is eagerly looking forward to welcoming Arthur into their new home.
Mikael mentioned that the little girl was repeatedly saying “doggy, doggy, doggy” as she was a bit hesitant to pet the dog, but he believes she will warm up to him once he comes to our home. He further added that the dog is lovely and shared with me that he didn’t realize how sick Arthur was when they first met. According to Mikael, Arthur was in a terrible condition with large bleeding sores on his back when they took him in, and the vet mentioned that these wounds were probably three to six months old.
‘We made sure to keep Arthur’s scars out of sight for a while to ensure nothing would hinder his chances of coming home with me. Thankfully, everything went smoothly after his visit to the vet in Quito. With the right medication and stitches, he was soon back on his feet.’
Despite feeling sad about saying goodbye to Arthur at the airport, Mikael explained, ‘We knew these conditions when we decided to bring him here. Jordbruksverket laid out the restrictions clearly, and I had to follow them without cutting corners.’
Mikael mentioned that Arthur is used to the snowy high tops of Ecuador, so he should handle the colder Swedish climate well. Once out of quarantine, Arthur will be living in their warm and welcoming home.
Adventure Racing is an extreme sport that involves days of non-stop hiking, trekking, mountain biking, and paddling. The recent world championships in Ecuador covered three diverse geographical areas: the Andes, the Pacific, and the Amazon jungle.
Mikael recalled noticing a hungry-looking dog while opening a food bag, decided to give him a meatball, and then continued on with the race. Later on, they found the dog in poor condition during a break and fed him canned food since there was none available in the forest.
During a challenging paddle phase of the race, officials warned the team that bringing Arthur along could be risky. Despite their initial attempt to leave him behind, Arthur jumped in the water and paddled alongside them. Touched by his determination, Mikael pulled him onto the kayak, and they finished the race together to a cheering crowd.
The team’s Facebook page documented their journey of bringing Arthur back to Sweden, including the emotional moment when they received approval from Sweden’s Board of Agriculture. Mikael admitted he was close to tears at that moment.
The team is ecstatic and grateful that Jordbruksverket has accepted Mikael’s request to bring Arthur to Sweden. A large part of the work to ensure Arthur’s journey is underway. Progress has been positive, but there is still one more document to secure. The team is now focused on solving the final piece of the puzzle.
Reflecting on the situation, Mikael remarked, ‘I set out for Ecuador with the goal of winning the World Championship. Instead, I found a new friend.’
