Photography and Writing by Cheryl Smyth

Once the leaves escape the trees, leaving them bare, I usually find many hikes as dull as the scenery; yet, I was impressed with the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park in mid-November. Evergreens and bare trees protruding from leaf covered hills, a swift moving rocky river, and a waterfall plunging into a gorge decorated the landscape. The company of other people and their dogs topped off an enjoyable day.

Tessi and I shared the outing with the group Dog Paddling Adventures (DPA), a company Eren and Kathryn Howell created in 2000, when they started with a few canoeing trips that included their dog, Jessie (husky mix), and allowed people to bring their own four-legged friends. Eren says on their website, “I have always appreciated watching the natural world, and the opportunity to share it with our pets brings a whole new perspective to the outdoors.” Eventually interest led the couple to offer hikes where dogs would be able to run free. Jessie not only participates in the outings, she holds the position of Chief Dog Operator.

The Toronto based couple plans and organizes the outings, which take place in the beautiful nature parks north of the city. All people and canines are welcome whether experienced or not (besides the most difficult canoe trips). Even the necessary equipment is provided. Length of excursions varies from one day, up to five days. Whereas canoeing keeps DPA busy throughout the summer, hiking takes up the spring and fall seasons. Winter provides skijoring and snowshoeing adventures with the group.

All these activities are available in the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, where widely varied terrain consists of trails traversing the Niagara Escarpment and the rolling hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine. A generous variety of trees and vegetation grows in the forests we traipsed through. The park is large enough that we easily accomplished four hours of hiking, while leaving more exploration for another visit.

The fall day I signed us up for turned out to be overcast and fairly mild. I was comfortable in jeans and a couple of layers covered by a light windbreaker. Tessi was contented in her own fur as usual.

Eren greeted us right away in the parking lot and pointed out where everyone was gathering. Once I had my backpack and cameras organized, Tessi and I joined them. Eren went over what our day would entail. A couple of expert guides also joined us. Donna, with Murphy (lab) and Rosie (border collie); and Sarah, with her puppy companion, Logan (husky shepherd mix).

Each of us in the group took turns introducing ourselves and our dogs. Canine hikers ranged in size, age, and breed-from Sierra (American mastiff) to Tala and Cleo (mini schnauzers). Logan, at three months old, was the youngest, whereas some of them, such as Mike (lab cocker mix), are in their teens. The human parents, all varying in age, were mainly women; only a few men were present. Most of the group has participated with Dog Paddling Adventures before.

Liv, Mike’s human mom, is one of DPA’s returning customers. She once lived in Calgary, where she and her dog often enjoyed exploring the mountains. During one of their outings they came upon a young bear at Sunwapta Falls. After stunned stares all around, Liv and her leashed companion headed the other way before finding out if momma bear was wandering the area. Liv now calls the Niagara region home. She hasn’t found too many dog friendly places yet, though she says there are a lot of pretty little parks.

Sarah and I talked about various topics on and off throughout the day. She had also lived in Calgary, mentioning that coyotes are a concern in addition to bears. Now she lives in Toronto, where she enjoys taking Logan to the dog park at The Beaches, a lakeside community and well-known tourist destination in the city.

I had plenty of opportunity to chat to my fellow hikers as the day carried on. Carolyn, April’s (husky shepherd mix) mom, told me how April had been bitten the year before in a Toronto off-leash park. Carolyn had been gradually getting her used to other dogs again, purposely waiting to join a large group such as Dog Paddling Adventures. While Carolyn and I talked, I could tell April was a little anxious around some of the dogs; however, with Carolyn’s guidance she settled into a pleasant walk.

Sierra had her own issues to work through. She had gotten lost on a previous outing, but was soon found. Her mom, Debbie, thought maybe she’d stay close this time. They were together every time I noticed them. The guides, equipped with two-way radios, disperse themselves throughout the group. They can quickly check with one another if anyone or any dog is missing.

Tessi, as usual, zipped around trees, bushes and hikers (human and canine), only pausing to beg for treats and to sniff through foliage. Every so often I’d have to call her back if I lost track of her while I was conversing with others.

A few of the dogs had a romp in a pond we passed. I enjoyed watching the big-bodied Sierra frolicking in the water like a child. Debbie had mentioned she doesn’t swim; however, the water was shallow enough for some fun.

We took a brief break where a couple of trails meet. Eren headed us toward the platform overlooking Credit Falls where, for the first time that day, our group spread out. I tended to lag behind because of my picture taking.

We took a longer break at the platform. If Tessi and I had been on our own, I would have, if possible, headed to the bottom of the falls for some exploration. As if Tessi knows my interests, she started heading that way as we approached the platform. While we appreciated the view from above, Eren handed out snacks consisting of GORP*, candies, and Kool-Aid. He had recommended we bring water for ourselves.

After Eren took a group photograph, we headed on. Having a minor issue with my own camera put me way behind the group. Eren and one of guys walked in sight ahead of me. While Tessi ran back and forth between us, I tried to catch up. Interesting photo opportunities of scenic hills and patterns in the grass kept me behind though.

The trail eventually returned to the Credit River, where soon the woods opened to reveal a grassy field. I paused to take pictures of the dogs running and jumping through the long grass.

We stopped for lunch by the shallow, fast moving river where a wall of trees loomed as a backdrop. The guides set out a selection of food items, such as lunch meat, cheese, and buns on a flat part of a tree. We had our pets leashed as previously requested; no one wanted them eating our hard earned lunch. They had had a lot of goodies along the way, since we had been encouraged to help ourselves to Eren’s stash of dog treats. They were offered the leftovers after we ate.

Our afternoon tour would reveal the park’s steeper climbs. Twenty years of being smoke-free means little when I ascend steep hills. One of our fellow hikers had the right idea by pausing a few times to take pictures, giving her lungs respite from the climb.

We settled into a fairly level hike where our footsteps crunched the dead leaves carpeting the forested floor. Partway through the afternoon, a couple of the dogs were found a little too close to some animal excrement. I saw one dog’s fur was smeared with brown that smelled quite stinky. I felt sorry for the dog’s mom; yet, to be honest, I had that instinctive reaction of relief Tessi had not been the one in the situation. About 10 minutes later I caught Tessi rolling in some excrement herself. The rest of my day would be filled with her repulsing aroma. I tried rinsing her with the rest of my bottled water. I’ve always known to carry water when hiking, but never thought of its uses beyond satisfying thirst. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough to rid her of the icky substance.

As we carried on with our nature tour, hope of a larger water source appearing kept me distracted. Nevertheless, I continued to chat with some of the others, such as Andrea and John Ackroyd while their dogs Amy Jay (border collie) and Daphne Rose (cocker spaniel), along with Tessi, dashed back and forth ahead us. The couple is from Oakville and quite often run their dogs at their local dog park.

On the last leg of our hike, we reached the pond we had encountered earlier in the day. I gave Tessi a rinse with a piece of cloth I happened to have on me.

Back at the parking lot, as I wiped Tessi off with an old towel generously given to me, I thought about how gratifying it had been to have someone else plan an outing. I could enjoy the walk while letting others worry about where we were going. I also appreciated being sent directions beforehand to assist in finding the parking area. I’ve spent too many trips getting lost on my way to parks and in parks.

Time moves on and soon snow will blanket Forks of the Credit Provincial Park and the rest of our countryside. Dog Paddling Adventures will bring out the skis and snowshoes as they abandon themselves to the winter landscape. In no time at all, green will sprout everywhere bringing the heat of summer. People and their canoes, including DPA and its customers, will be found paddling our province’s many rivers. No matter the time of year, a person and his or her canine companion can find interesting ways to enjoy the outdoor scenery.

For more information:

www.dogpaddlingadventures.com

http://www.ontarioparks.com/English/fork.html

*The acronym GORP stands for Good Old Raisins and Peanuts, but is informally used to name any mixture of nuts, dried fruits, seeds and such eaten as a high energy snack during outdoor activities such as hiking.

 (c) Cheryl Smyth, 2009

Pictures taken by Eren from our hike:

http://www.dogpaddlingadventures.com/trippicsnov152009.html

I knew we would probably be covered in red mud by the time we finished our exploration of the unusual rolling hills. Knowing that on this chilly early spring day, the sun could be warm enough to liquefy the dirt, I made sure I brought some towels. I was surprised to see snow covering some of the ground, though I shouldn’t have been as we were a bit farther north of home. Other than the small parking area, the mud was minimal. Maybe I could actually keep Tessi somewhat clean if I could move her past the red mire surrounding the car.

Cheltenham Badlands, north of Toronto, in the Caledon Hills is an unusual sight in Ontario. The land is made of Queenston shale, turned red from the presence of iron oxide. Greenish bands seen throughout the hills, come from groundwater that has transformed the rock to green iron oxide. The 36 hectare (90 acre) area once existed as farmland. Overgrazing had left the land exposed, resulting in what exists today.  

Helen, Tessi, and I arrived at our unusual destination early in the morning. The sun, still low in the sky, was throwing its beautiful lighting across the badlands, emphasizing its convoluted terrain. Tessi enthusiastically jumped around, exploring the landscape while Helen and I took pictures. A loose dog should have reliable call-back since a secondary highway borders the area on one side. I didn’t have to worry about Tessi and the highway. After deciding that the mostly barren hills had little to offer her inquisitive nose, she kept sneaking off towards the woods bordering the other three sides.

Tessi didn’t get muddy, besides her paws, until a 10-week-old lab named A.J. showed up with his owner, Ingrid. They had stopped for a break on their way to Collingwood. A.J. chased Tessi around, covering themselves in red muck in the process. I offered Ingrid a towel; however, she had one with her. While she wiped A.J. off, she commented that she hoped he would snooze during the rest of their journey.

Before leaving ourselves, we had wanted to go for a hike on a trail skirting the badlands. The only one we could find was closed off, which I later found out was because of erosion. When we mentioned to Ingrid our disappointment, she informed us of another one farther up the highway. We would easily see a bridge, which is where the trail traverses the highway.

The Caledon Trailway, once a rail line, is about 36 km (22 miles). After taking pictures from the middle of the overpass of the traffic below, we continued west. Our pink muddy footprints left evidence of our route for the first few steps. The flat landscape made for an easy walk. The trees were still bare, yet the clear sky and warm sun made it a pleasant day to be out.

I let Tessi run free for parts of the walk. A fence stretched along a section of the trail, so I didn’t worry about her wandering too far. I leashed her again when we crossed an old railway bridge spanning a fast running, swollen creek. I not only worried about its swift moving water, but also its depth. I also leashed her when people were nearby, knowing she can be too friendly. We only encountered a few and only a couple of them had dogs. (In my research, I found a website listing comments by people who have used the trail. One comment was a complaint about dogs not on leashes www.canadatrails.ca/tct/on/caledon.html.)

We walked until we came to a crossroad, where we spotted a donkey farm. Before we headed back, Helen, being the animal lover she is, walked over to chat with one of the donkeys that had been watching us.

The day’s outing satisfied our cabin-fevered souls. Though I enjoyed the trail, the unusual rolling hills turned out to be the wonderment of the day. Tessi’s pink-stained fur would fade back to white long before our memories would fade.

For more information:

• www.day-trips.ca/content/cheltenham-badlands
• www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/cheltenham-hills
• www.caledonbrucetrail.org

 (c) Cheryl Smyth, 2009

 In my follow-up research, I had found that the Bruce Trail Conservancy prefers visitors refrain from any activities on the badlands that could harm them, such as riding vehicles, horses or toboggans on the hills and staying off them in wet conditions.

The sights and smells invigorated Tessi. She absorbed the attention from the other dogs and their people with an excitement that could only be topped by the many sample treats she was given. I imagine she thought she was in doggie heaven.

Tessi and I attended Woofstock in Toronto (considered the largest outdoor dog festival in North America) for the second time; last year was our first. Many exhibitors (more than 200 this year) push their wares and services in hopes of sales. This gives people a multitude of choices in food, toys, accessories and whatever else your dog may need or desire, or whatever you may fancy for your dog. Some exhibitors are there to raise public awareness of canine issues, along with hopes of receiving donations to support their causes. Lining the streets of the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood, the number of booths is almost overwhelming. The festival is a canine lover’s dream.

My first quest, before setting out to spoil Tessi, was to find a cold beverage for myself, as the day was already heating up. Fresh water is put out for the animals at assorted booths, though Tessi usually snubs the water, I assume, because of other dogs’ saliva floating on it. Yet, she will choose to drink from the ditches around our home. She doesn’t seem to like water much, only drinking it when necessary. I would find adequate sources of it as the day wore on.

Before moving toward the food area for a pop, I hesitated at a table which was covered in cute doggy T’s. Tessi’s size was included in the selection. I often find doggy clothes are made only in small sizes. These T-shirts were decorated in rock ’n’ roll themes, which made sense when I saw that the company’s name is Rock ‘n’ Roll K9. Thirty-five dollars is probably a typical price for a T-shirt in her size. I was on a budget, however, and would wait until the end of the day before deciding whether to buy a shirt or not.

After leaving the Rock ‘n’ Roll K9 table, we passed a flurry of activity at a water station. Attendants were continually filling several small pools for the animals to cool off in. Tessi took one look at the fur floating on top of the water and turned away.

I was not as choosy as to where I would get my refreshment. There were many food vendors to pick from; however, I stopped at the first one I came to. I made a mental note of the many food choices for when I’d return later for lunch.

I found a low wall on which to sit while I drank my deliciously cold pop. From my perch, I could see a stage being set up for contests that would run throughout the afternoon. The contests would include “Stupid Dog Trick” and “Best Costume” among others. When I finished my drink we were off to hunt for information, explore, and defy buying temptation.

We passed the permanent fountain in Berczy Park, where the stage was situated. The fountain was filled with dogs—jumping in and out and swimming—anything to cool off. Tessi wanted nothing to do with this source of water either. Last year she had hopped on the wall of the fountain. This year she wouldn’t let me get close, so we continued on.

I stopped at a booth sporting the name Poop Patrol Inc. The guy working there was promoting the group’s “Paw It Forward” program, which involves procuring donations of excess dog accessories from people and then passing these items on to needy dogs.

Tessi and I walked by a variety of exhibitors. At Isle of Dogs, I could have bought a spa-like product made just for canines, if I had been so inclined. Neo Paws specializes in assorted safety accessories and products. Someday, when I try canoeing with Tessi, I’ll want to get a lifejacket for her, but that purchase would wait. I scooted by a pet cemetery company—I don’t want to think about that day yet.

As we wandered, we found small amounts of fresh water for Tessi along with many sample treats. She happily gobbled up all that was offered to her, with equal enthusiasm. I would never be able to decide what she liked best if I had to choose treats to buy.

I had an interesting visit at a booth occupied by representatives of an organization eagerly trying to fight the banned pit bull law. Two pit bull type ambassadors were there to interact with. Both dogs were sweethearts, Trina stayed in the background while Wallace soaked up all the attention he could get. In the meantime, Tessi was given half a tube of a peanut butter flavoured treat. Before moving on, I bought a T-shirt in support of their cause.

I kept an eye out for water, as Tessi would probably be thirsty again. Signs posted at a few of the side streets, directed dog owners to water stations. On one quiet side street I found a small fountain with a shower-like spigot giving an endless supply of water. Tessi was finally able to have a proper thirst quenching drink.

Another source of refreshment I eventually came upon was through a company called Java du Mutt. I took the small powder samples of Waggalatte (a doggy version of a latte) offered and decided to buy a bowl of premixed for 50 cents. Since it is a hot beverage, I had the guy add ice. Tessi may not drink a lot of water; however, she loves anything beef or chicken flavoured, which is basically what this refreshment is.

After looking through a few more booths, I took Tessi back to the small fountain. On the way back to the crowd, I noticed a woman sitting with her dog in the shade. I stopped to read the writing on the T-shirt the sparsely furred animal was wearing. That led to a chat with the woman. I found out that her dog came with a few health problems when she was adopted a couple of years ago. The woman’s veterinarian had eventually found the cause to be her pet’s thyroid. I could tell there was a lot of love between the two, as the woman was dedicated to getting her dog’s health back on track.

I found the dock diving competition taking place on another side street. The dog being enticed to jump was having a hard time finding the nerve. Everyone applauded enthusiastically when he finally did, not caring that he didn’t dive very far. While watching, I forgot about Tessi. She wandered under the ropes and got underfoot of the judge. I was humbled when the judge asked me to please watch my dog.

I took a few pictures of the animals while they competed, and then Tessi and I moved on. I noticed a few photography exhibitors. Some of these creative people took their talent a step further than basic photography, such as the company Memories in Stone, which engrave dog portraits in stone.

After a couple of hours of wandering, and discovering unique items and services, I made my way back to the food area to buy a fajita for lunch. The wrapped sandwich was very messy, but delicious. Tessi busied herself by catching my droppings. Like most dogs when it comes to food, she was happy to oblige.

About an hour after lunch, Tessi and I had had enough of the heat. One of the last exhibitors we visited before leaving was Lisa, who owns the Happy Tails Pet Resort & Camp in the Muskoka region. The camp features a huge wooded area for canines to express ultimate freedom. Her business even has a shuttle that will pick up the animals in Toronto and take them to camp. I plan to travel to the Muskoka area for a few days this summer, so I will most likely check out the camp.

From Lisa’s booth we walked the few blocks back to the subway station. As I usually do when I go to Toronto, I had parked my car at Yorkdale Mall and had ridden the subway downtown. Leashed dogs are allowed, during non-rush hour times, on the city’s transit. I could relax and look over my few purchases and the bag of freebies and samples I ended up with. For the first time on the subway system, I saw another dog at the other end of the subway car. Like Tessi, he or she was sleeping. I wondered if they were dreaming of treats and activities enjoyed at the festival for dogs.

More information can be found at www.woofstock.ca.

(c) Cheryl Smyth, 2008

Tessi didn’t know what to make of this unfamiliar type of transportation; however it didn’t take her long to accept it as part of another adventure. Fortunately, because of all our escapades she is generally open-minded. On this particular day, she lapped up all the sights and sounds, along with the attention she received, in this crowded city so unlike her home in our quiet village.

Toronto is filled with busy people fitting work and play into their daily lives. Sometimes it can be difficult to find enough time for play with family, including the family pet. The city is not only a remarkable place to have a dog; it is also an excellent place to visit with a dog. It’s easy to travel to all the pet friendly spots, of which there are many. Dogs are allowed on the subway, buses and streetcars (Toronto Transit Commission—TTC) during non-rush hour times, as long as they are leashed or crated.

One day Tessi and I, along with my friend Helen, spent a day exploring Toronto. Since I don’t care for big city driving, the TTC offered a perfect way for us to tour around. Toronto has assorted metro parking for commuters. Vehicles can be left in one for the day while the owner uses public transit to reach his or her destination. Metro parking lots not only make driving less hassle but can be cheaper than other locales in the city, such as downtown. These lots do vary in price but are free on weekends. Yorkdale Mall, which is close to highway 401, has one such parking area.

We found our way to the subway station from where we parked. We each opted to buy a day pass for riding the rail since we were probably going to spend just as much on multiple single ride fees. Tessi’s trip didn’t cost anything. While getting ourselves organized, we were called over by the security guard at the gate. I was half expecting him to demand to know what we were doing bringing a dog on public transportation. But he didn’t, he was just curious to know what breed she is.

As we were waiting on the platform, I chatted with a fellow passenger, who mentioned he was from Newfoundland. His response to my question on how different he found the city from his home province was not surprising. He said that people generally have a bad attitude in Toronto, though everyone was in a good mood on this delightful early spring day.

Many pleasant people were relishing the sunshine and warmth in the 400 acre High Park, which is one of many parks in Toronto that have an off-leash dog area. I chose to visit this particular natural oasis, since it is close to a subway stop. Inside the entrance of the park we discovered a large information map that included an illustration of the off-leash area. The map helped us find this area easily in the huge park. Since the off-leash zone is not fenced in, signs are posted as to where dogs are allowed. Benches can be found in the centre for the comfort of the owners.

After Tessi had a satisfactory romp, I leashed her up again for a wander through the rest of the park, aiming for Grenadier Pond. We came across Grenadier Restaurant on our way. The restaurant has a patio; however signs indicate that dogs are not allowed. A few concession stands are located around the park, giving canine accompanied people an opportunity to buy refreshments. Since we were walking by the restaurant, Helen went inside to buy lunch.

While I waited outside with Tessi, I had an interesting conversation with a woman sitting on one of the benches. Displayed beside her was a Christmas wreath which she gladly moved so I could sit. She had found the wreath by the side of the road. At this point she was tired of carrying it and asked if I wanted it. Considering I had enough to carry (and I really didn’t want a wreath), I passed on her offer. She also had a beat up orange leather bag beside her and in a plastic bag she had a beautiful cream crochet blanket, which she also offered to me. Again, I told her I had enough to carry. Helen, when she returned, was offered these items as well, of which she also declined. The woman decided to leave the blanket and wreath spread out on the bench in hopes someone would take them.

We left the woman and the restaurant behind to continue to the pond. There we found a variety of waterfowl, including a beautiful swan that seemed to like Helen taking its picture. I’m glad I had my telephoto lens with me, since every time I moved closer to the swan it would hiss at Tessi. I guess it sensed she is a hunter and always in search of a meal.

As we continued on the trail hugging the pond we discovered more birds. Eventually, we came across a friendly small dog, waiting patiently while his mistress was watching the ducks in a marshy area. While I petted her dog, the woman told us she was checking on a certain duck that had been wounded. After frequent checks she had come to the conclusion that it seemed to be slowly healing. We left them and continued on the trail that eventually led us back to the street where we made our way to the subway platform.

Before heading back to Yorkdale Mall, we took the subway downtown, where a smothering crowd filled the sidewalks. I’m glad Tessi was on a lead; I would have lost her for sure.

 Outside of the Eaton Centre we came upon an Elvis impersonator performing in the staggered motions of a moving statue. He stood out in the crowd as he was covered in silver paint from head to shoes.

We watched the show for a bit, and then headed inside. A photography customer once told me she had taken her cute little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel into the Eaton Centre. Even though a small animal is easier to get away with in public places, my customer did say she had seen bigger dogs in the building. So I had to try a mall excursion with Tessi. We weren’t the target of any nasty looks and, as usual, a couple of people came over to ask about her and pet her. When we stopped at a kiosk selling canine paraphernalia, Helen asked the saleswoman if animals were allowed in the mall. She thought not. No one ever did tell us to leave and the mall did make a couple of sales off us (I ended up buying a cute item at the kiosk and Helen bought batteries for her camera). Later I realized I probably should have looked at the signs on the entrance doors to the mall—you know, the ones saying “no shoes, no shirt, no service” along with “no dogs allowed.” My photography customer had gone to Toronto during Woofstock (Toronto’s annual festival for dogs). I have a feeling the rules were probably relaxed that weekend. From an email to Toronto Tourism I sent later, I did learn pets are not allowed in the Eaton Centre (other than service animals).

After our mall tour we found the subway heading north to Yorkdale Mall. Tessi had a good sleep sprawled on the floor of the subway on the way back. This brought a smile to the faces around us. Luckily, there weren’t too many people for her to be in the way of. Helen and I were pretty beat ourselves. As we passed what we thought should have been our Yorkdale stop, we realized we hopped on the wrong northbound train. The north-south/south-north part of the system is U-shaped, with downtown being at the bottom. The whole system is very simple to navigate as it is well signed; yet it’s easy to get on the wrong car if you’re not paying close attention. The underground railway experience was not only new to Tessi, but also to Helen and me. We knew we’d get where we wanted eventually, it just ended up taking longer. I felt more awake for the drive home anyway after a needed rest.

We only tackled the subway that day. Someday, when I feel really adventurous, I’ll challenge myself to figure out the bus and streetcar system.

I would never envy living a big city life (I lived in London, Ontario for many years—it was too big for me), but if I had to live in Toronto at least I know Tessi would have a good life. With all its parks for dogs to run, play, and socialize; and an easy way to get to them, we have another reason to envy a dog’s life.

More information can be found at www.torontodogs.com and www.toronto.ca

(c) Cheryl Smyth, 2008

Sadly, since I’ve written this article, a couple of dog deaths have occurred in High Park, along with a few injuries. It is such a shame to hear of this happening in such a beautiful park or anywhere for that matter, especially when our pets need off leash parks to play and socialize. My heart goes out to those who lost their pets. (Information about the dog deaths can be found by googling “High Park dog deaths.”)