Sasha falls in. We’ve had the houseboat for two-hours, started getting acquainted with the picturesque contours of the Gananoque coast and random private islands scattered throughout the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Island region, and Sasha, the two-year-old chocolate lab, falls overboard.
Fortunately, we’re at the docks of the Gananoque Inn and Spa attempting (for the first time) to dock the boat and head in for dinner.
Sasha is a 80-pound elk-like dog who’s formidable in appearance and a complete coward by nature – she spooks at the sight of the bumpers dangling beside the boat. Her back legs slip off the edge, and she scrambles to hang on with her front feet. I’m at the front of the boat trying to throw him the rope.
“Grab the dog,” he yells. Really? Of course, it’s too late – and impossible. Sasha splashes in, swimming frantically between the boat and the dock. She can’t climb onto the dock and it takes two of us to hoist each end of her back onto the boat.
Welcome to the Dog-friendly Thousand Islands Houseboat Adventure
Thus starts our houseboat adventure with the dogs. From Houseboat Holidays we rented a houseboat, which is like a floating RV complete with kitchenette, sink, fold out beds, fresh water tank and a small bathroom and shower that runs on pumped in river water.
Our goal: spend four days boating, hiking and exploring the National Parks of the 1000 Islands run by Parks Canada. We plan to stop at MacDonald, Camelot and Georgina Islands along with a visit to the American Heart Island home of Boldt Castle, an incredible story (but not dog-friendly).
Boating with the dog 1000 Islands
The first day, after driving here, unloading the car and stocking the boat, we get a short boating orientation from Houseboat Holidays. (You don’t need a boating license, though boating experience helps – a lot). Armed with a map, a lousy sense of direction, and an adventurous spirit, we make our way around unmarked islands to the Gananoque Inn and Spa for dinner before snagging the last boat slip on nearby MacDonald Island.
MacDonald is a small Island with a few campsites including glamping cabin/tents Parks Canada calls oTENTiks meeting other boat and dog owners and bedding down for the night.
So far so good. We all somehow stay on board for the night. No unintended swimming.
We’ll see what day two brings.
Missed Pre-Day one of this adventure? Check it out here and start from the beginning.
If you are curious about some of the cottages in the 1000 Islands, check out this coffee table book that lets you inside: Retreats of the 1000 Islands. (affiliate link)
Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!
[…] If you’re thinking about taking your dog on a boat tour, kayaking, or canoeing, keeping a life jacket on them is a good idea even if they are strong swimmers. A handle makes is a lot easier to grab them if they do fall or jump overboard: […]
[…] Heading out on the four-hour drive to pick up the boat are two people and two dogs – Victor, a 12-year-old schnoodle and Sasha, a two-year-old chocolate lab. We’ll see who wears out first. (I have a feeling it won’t be the dogs). Check out our first day. […]
[…] ago, I travelled the waterway via houseboat with my previous dog and his canine beautiful […]
[…] fear: you can read all installments from the beginning: Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day […]
[…] Landing (units 3B and 3E) at Thousand Islands National Park are pet-friendly. That’s new since I toured the islands with my pup and stayed on houseboat – one of my favourite dog-friendly trips yet. Victor loved the […]
[…] aren’t usually my thing (despite spending four days on a houseboat earlier this year). But when I saw Maggie May and Maddy on the Chicago Fireboat Legend Cruise in […]
[…] If you liked this post, you’ll love others about our adventures on Bying Island in Dunville, Ontario and at Parks Canada properties in The 1000 Islands. […]
[…] If you liked this, check out canoeing with dogs and houseboat adventures… […]
funny adventures with our canine companions always makes for an entertaining story. That’s why we love them so…:)
[…] you missed the beginning of our adventure, don’t fret it’s all here: Day One, Day Two and Day […]
[…] the beginning of our adventure? Don’t fear; you can read all installments from the beginning: Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day […]
[…] previous installments? Check out Day One here and Day […]
[…] Day One? check out Day One […]