Victor on the dock

I think Victor is sick.

After waking up on Mulcaster Island in the 1000 Islands, and walking the easy flat trails around the island, then sitting on the dock and finishing breakfast, we boat directly to Georgina Island – easy to find because it’s directly under the highway bridge that connects the U.S. to Canada. We’re getting better at following the map and recognizing landmarks (though our new found confidence will soon be tested).

Welcome to Day 4 of the Thousand Island Dog-friendly Houseboat Adventure

It is day four of our Great Canadian 1000 Islands Houseboat Adventure with the dogs and we’re finally getting good at this. We’ve rented a houseboat from Houseboat Holidays in Gananoque, Ontario and climbed aboard with two dogs: Sasha, a two-year-old lab and Victor, a 10-year-old schnoodle.

Or we could have toured on a boat tour driven by someone else – but could we take the dogs?

Georgina Island run by Parks Canada is the most beautiful yet, though the sounds from the overhead highway and busy waterway nearby interfere with the serenity. It also has the longest, moderately challenging trails, which we don’t get to fully experience thanks to intermittent rain.

Instead, we take advantage of a moment of sunlight: Mario fishing off the dock and me sitting at the picnic table reading – a luxury reserved for vacations. The dogs are wandering about.

One the dock during the 1000 Island Houseboat Adventure

Or I think they are. I look up at the sound of a boat approaching – Park Warden’s patrolling the area. (We’ve already been warned about fines for dogs off leash). I look for Victor, my schnoodle. He’s flaked out on the dock. I pick him up and he flops into my arms. It’s uncharacteristic of this high-energy beast to lean on me.

I’m concerned he’s too hot, especially in this bright green life jacket. (affiliate link) Suddenly I’m focused on Vic and no longer concerned about the Park Wardens who’ve stopped at the dock. (Turns out it’s Tim, who we met on Day 2, stopping by to see how we’re doing).

I carry (run) Vic back to the boat, which is one dock over, bolting away from the others in some kind of impulsive sprint. After about 10 minutes, Victor is ok.

I should have watched him more carefully.

I should have given him more water.

I should have said hello to Tim.

It starts to rain again, so we pack up and drive to our overnight destination: Beau Rivage Island close to the marina where we have to return the boat in the morning.

Corn-meal encrusted pickerel at the Glenhouse Resort, 1000 Islands

The dogs sleep during what turns out to be a three-hour, indirect, at times tense, navigation back toward our starting point. By tomorrow, we get good at this boating thing.

Tomorrow we return the boat.

(If you missed the beginning of our adventure, don’t fret it’s all here: Day One, Day Two and Day Three.)

Sidenote: It’s good to be armed with knowledge. When I want to learn something new (including dog health) I turn to Dummies books. I love Dummies books. Check out this one about dog health and nutrition on Amazon.