This is the magical moment when an explorer introduced his young daughter to the loyal creature who has captured the attention of people worldwide. The explorer had befriended an abandoned dog, who accompanied him throughout a thrilling race in the breathtaking Ecuadorian jungle.
While navigating through the final two legs of the challenging 430-mile Adventure Racing World Championship, Mikael Lindnor and his team stumbled upon a weary-looking dog. In a moment of compassion, Mikael extended a meatball to the estranged canine, thus initiating an unbreakable bond that would last throughout the grueling race. From that point forward, the loyal dog remained steadfastly by Mikael’s side, persistently paddling alongside the crew as they kayaked down rivers, determinedly climbing up hills, and tirelessly trudging through knee-deep mud.
Impressed by his unwavering commitment and perseverance, they bestowed upon him the moniker Arthur and warmly welcomed him into their esteemed Peak Performance Adventure Racing squad as an honorary member. Mikael and Arthur developed a deep bond, ultimately leading Mikael to wholeheartedly embrace the idea of adopting the canine companion and bringing him back home.
After successfully completing their six-day hike through the dense South American jungle, Mikael and his team made a collective decision to seek professional help for their companion, Arthur, by taking him to a local veterinarian.
During that period, Mikael came to the realization that they couldn’t abandon Arthur after the incredible journey they had together. Therefore, he made the decision to officially become his owner and bring him back to their home in Sweden. Mikael went through the process of applying to the Swedish Board of Agriculture, known as Jordbruksverket, but there was uncertainty regarding the outcome.
After an anxious few days, the team reunited with Arthur at the airport and embarked on their journey back to Sweden on a private jet. However, due to the strict quarantine regulations in Europe, Arthur will have to undergo a period of isolation in an animal center. This is to ensure that he is free from any potential diseases.
Mikael ensures that Arthur will be well taken care of during his time in isolation. Not only will he have ample space to roam and play outdoors, but he will also have access to a dog dentist. Mikael mentions that his daughter Philippa is eagerly waiting to give Arthur a warm welcome to his new home.
Mikael shared with me earlier that his delightful dog, whom he affectionately calls Arthur, caught his attention with an adorable chant of “doggy, doggy, doggy.” Although initially hesitant to touch Arthur, Mikael assured me that once he arrives at their home, all reservations will fade away. Little did Mikael know that Arthur was battling some serious health issues when they first crossed paths.
In a conversation with MailOnline, Mikael revealed the shocking state in which they found Arthur. “He was in a rather terrible condition when we took him in,” Mikael expressed. “His back was covered in large, bleeding sores infested with parasites.” The vet believes that Arthur had been carrying these wounds for a duration of three to six months, unbeknownst to Mikael.
It is heartwarming to witness Mikael’s affection for Arthur, and I sincerely hope that with proper care and attention, Arthur’s health will improve and he will fully recover from his previous adversity.
“We concealed those wounds for a period, ensuring that nothing would hinder his chances of returning home with me,” Mikael remarked. However, everything went smoothly after he received treatment from the veterinarian in Quito. With the aid of medication and stitches, he recovered swiftly from all his injuries.
“Of course, bidding farewell to Arthur at the airport fills me with sadness,” Mikael added. “Yet, when we made the decision to bring him here, we fully accepted the accompanying circumstances.” Jordbruksverket had explicitly outlined the limitations, and I understood that I must adhere to them without exceptions.
“When asked about how Arthur will adapt to the colder climate in Sweden, Mikael mentioned that there is snow on the high tops of Ecuador, suggesting that Arthur is already acclimated to such weather conditions. Once released from quarantine, Arthur will be welcomed into our warm and friendly home.
Adventure Racing is an exhilarating extreme sport that entails multiple days of continuous hiking, trekking, mountain biking, and paddling.
The world championships held in Ecuador took place in three diverse geographical areas: the Andes, the Pacific, and the Amazon jungle.
During an interview with Swedish news site Aftonbladet, Mikael shared a heartwarming encounter where he spotted a scruffy and lonely dog while opening a food bag. Without hesitation, he assumed the dog was hungry and offered him a meatball, not dwelling on the thought for long.
“At one point during our race, we took a break and noticed that the dog was completely worn out,” Mikael continued. Sensing its hunger, they opened two cans of food and fed the dog, as it was unable to find any in the forest.
Prior to one of the race stages, the crew was warned by officials that bringing Arthur along would compromise their safety. Although they initially planned to leave him behind, Arthur unexpectedly jumped into the water and began paddling alongside them. Touched by the sight of Arthur’s struggle, Mikael pulled him up, placed him in the kayak, and allowed him to join them for the rest of the journey.
This act garnered a standing ovation and enthusiastic cheers from onlookers on the banks.
The team documented their journey of bringing Arthur back to Sweden on their Facebook page. Mikael shared in one post that he was almost moved to tears when receiving the approval from Sweden’s Board of Agriculture, Jordbruksverket.”
“The team is filled with jubilation and a sense of relief as Jordbruksverket has approved Mikael’s application to bring Arthur to Sweden. We’ve achieved a major milestone in our mission to get Arthur on the plane. Everything has been smooth sailing up to this point, but there is still one more document to obtain. The team is currently putting in all their efforts to unravel this final puzzle.” Mikael reflected, “When I came to Ecuador, my goal was to win the World Championship, but little did I know, I would also gain a faithful companion in the process.”
