Our third day in the Outaouais region of Canada began bright and early. Anne and I made plans to sneak in a quick run before breakfast and headed out a little after 6 a.m. We completed four miles just as the sun started to peek over the horizon.
It was the perfect way to start the day! We talked the entire time which made four miles fly by in no time at all. Anne is in the middle of training for her first marathon and without her encouragement, I’m pretty sure I would’ve slept in every single day on this trip. Thanks for the motivation, Anne!
Once we made it back to the lodge, we briefly stretched before it was time to spend the next 30 minutes showering, eating breakfast and packing up our stuff so we could head out for the day’s adventures.
First up: Dog sledding!
Timberland Tours
After our group piled into the van, we drove a short distance to Timberland Tours for a morning filled with furry fun!
Our group was invited to Timberland Tours in Bristol, Quebec to experience dryland dog carting. Up until this trip to Bristol, I didn’t know you could go dog sledding in the warmer months when there is no snow. Without snow you technically can’t go dog sledding, but dryland dog carting is a similar alternative. It’s quite the sport!
When we arrived at Timberland Tours, we were greeted by Denis Rozon. Denis owns Timberland Tours and has been dog sledding since he was 6 years old. It was clear from the moment we met Denis that he has a tremendous passion for the sport and a serious love for his dogs. All of the dogs at Timberland Tours are retired racers. Rather than give the dogs away once they are no longer race-ready, Denis keeps his beloved dogs and they are able to exercise and have fun with tourists who visit and wish to experience dog sledding or dog carting.
Timberland Tours is home to 40 very excitable dogs!
Whenever a car full of visitors pulls up to Timberland Tours, the dogs go crazy with anticipation!
Tourists are free to pet and play with the dogs and they were all incredibly friendly. It’s clear that the dogs are used to being around people and they were so, so thrilled when we walked up. It meant it was almost sled time!
I did my best to distribute my love to a bunch of the dogs and couldn’t help but feel extra attached to Bear and Whiskey, two of the female dogs that reminded me of Sadie. They also happened to be the group leaders which I found really interesting. They were really excited to run, but weren’t as spastic as some of the other dogs and they basically melted into my body when I started to pet them. I’m such a sucker for cuddly dogs and it was clear to me that Bear and Whiskey were little love machines!
Dryland dog carting is different from typical dog sledding since there is no snow and a sled is not used. Dogs pull you around a track made of hard-packed sand and judging by the excitement level of the dogs, they love it!
When Denis and his team walked over to the dogs to select eight of them to pull our group in a large cart, they went absolutely nuts. It was clear to see that these dogs live for this sport. They all jumped up and down and, if selected, they bounded toward the sled with incredible enthusiasm.
When asked how often each dog gets to help pull a sled, Denis told us that they pull a cart or sled every other day or so and he makes sure they get proper rest in between runs.
The dogs pulled our group of eight for just over a mile and absolutely took off when Denis told them to go. We flew around the sand track in our little cart as Denis called out to encourage his dogs. He called them by name and when I asked him whether or not they know their individual names he replied, “Oh yes. Absolutely.”
Our group had a blast with the dogs and waited around for a few minutes until it was safe for the dogs to have water after their romp around the track. (Denis waits for a few minutes to give the dogs water right after a run for safety.)
After the dogs were done gulping down their water, we followed Denis to a room where all of his trophies and dog photos are displayed.
Timberland Tours is actually named after Denis’ favorite dog, Timber, and his picture is framed for everyone to see.
Denis was so great about answering all of our questions about the dog’s diet, exercise routine, veterinary care and more. I found the dog’s diet particularly interesting. Every day each dog is served a pound of raw chicken or raw beef, half a cup of rice, half a cup of kibble, one tablespoon of fish oil, a teaspoon of kelp and vitamins. Their diet was created by a veterinarian who is also into dog sledding!
It was such a pleasure to meet Denis and talk about his wonderful dogs with him. I am a serious dog lover, so spending the morning with 40 beautiful and energetic dogs was such a treat!
Lunch
Once our time at Timberland Tours was over, we drove to the village of Shawville for lunch at Café 349.
Café 349 opened in 2002 and serves fresh food made with local ingredients.
Anne + Anne
It was a little chilly inside, so a hot cappuccino and a warm cup of soup sounded like the perfect way to begin my meal.
The soup of the day was a lentil beef soup that came with warm brown bread that I used for dipping. It was the perfect cold weather pick-me-up.
I also ordered a large salad with pecans and fruit and ate some of Anne’s sweet potato quesadilla.
We were told to try not to fill up too much because lots of sweet treats awaited us at our next destination!
Sweet stuff to come!
Previous Outaouais region press trip recaps:
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I always find that a run is the best way to start my days on vacation. Such a great way to explore new settings, especially beautiful places like Canada.
Those dogs are TOO cute. I don’t think I would be able to not stop every 20 seconds to pet them :-). I seriously need to adopt another dog!
The Timberland Tours sounds like so much fun! Those dogs look so excited and happy!
Wow everything looks so beautiful there. And it sounds like all the things you got to do was a ton of fun.
The timberland tours sounds like a really unique experience. I didn’t know there was actually dog carting, I thought there was only sledding – but that’s pretty neat.
Cafe 349 sounds delicious, that lentil soup looks delicious.
Dog sledging!!! How cool!!! You really did have quite the trip!
Looks like such a great trip!
This trip looks like sooo much fun! I’ve never heard of dog carting but it looks pretty fun.
I would be in heaven getting to pet such excited, cuddly dogs! I’ve never heard of this sport, so I’m definitely looking up more. Glad you got to do something so fun!
I love that you visited a farm full of dogs!! I’d be in heaven and probably never want to leave 😉
I had no idea you could do “dog sledding” like that! That must have been so much fun!
This looks like such a fun thing to do! I would love being able to hang out with that many dogs all day 🙂 What cuties!
What a great trip! And those pups…too cute!! 🙂
Thanks for keeping me company on that run! 🙂 Miss you!
Looks like fun! Where are your leggings from in this post? They’re really cute! 🙂
Thank you! They are from Moving Comfort!
Thank you!! 🙂 Gonna get myself a pair! You always have cute clothes! 🙂
I would’ve been one happy girl with all those pups! You’d have to have a heart of stone not to smile around all that tail wagging.
I’ve been dog sledding once in the winter up at Lake Placid. It is such a blast! You have to go back in the snow!
Ah, those dogs are soo cute!! I would have wanted to take one home with me ;). Yum! That food looks great, can’t wait to see the sweet treats though 😀
Aww how fun is that! Those dogs are so cute..how did you not take one home with you in your suitcase??
Julie,
Where did you get those pants?!?! Love them!!
Thanks!! They’re Moving Comfort!
I’ve always felt bad for dogs who pull sleds, like during that one ridiculous race in the winter in Alaska (I forget what it’s called). Like, poor dogs! Obviously they love it but still. Haha 🙂
I did know that dry sledding existed! I always feel so bad for the dogs in sledding shows, movies, etc and same with riding horses, which is SO silly because they LOVE to do it! Yalls lunch reminded me that is has been way too long since I have had a sweet potato quesadilla! Now I know what to make for dinner .Mmm
The sunrise looks gorgeous in Canada! I’ve never been that far up north, yet.
Wow! Dog sledding must have been such a cool experience – especially without the snow. I am so glad to hear how well those doggies are treated 🙂
That looks like such an adventure! I would have loved to be in the middle of 40 excited dogs and what an amazing experience to go dryland dog sledding.
oh my gosh, how FUN! Tons of dogs sounds right up my alley, I would have loved that! How fun would it be to work there?!
That is such a cool tour idea! Those dogs look super fun to be around too 🙂
What a wonderful retreat I would also have a hard time picking a dog I am a bit dog crazy!! Looks like to of fun thank you for sharing xo C
I had no idea that dog carting existed either… that’s cool that you got to try it!
I didn’t realize that people did dog tours in the summer and not just the winter for dog sledding…looks like fun 🙂
These are my favorite posts! I was always curious about how much dogs actually loved the sport, so it’s nice to hear that they were excited! I’d want to go just to be able to hang out with that many dogs. It looks like so much fun.
Sounds like fun! I had no idea dog carting was a thing, but it looks really neat!
These look like happy puppies! Looks so fun!
Thank you for sharing this! Growing up in Alaska I’ve experienced the dog sled races that occur here. I also love the excitement of the dogs when they are about to run and it is so fun to watch them take off. I’m glad you got to experience that.
You got to do so many fun and unique activities on this trip. I’m a huge dog lover so this would be amazing! Not sure if you mentioned this in your post, but are most of the dogs a certain breed?
Wow that looks like it was alot of fun!! You and Anne are having some fun adventures!
How fun! Those puppies sure look happy 🙂
I second the cute pants – they’re adorable! A dog farm..dream come true!! You guys look a little bundled up…was it chilly? It’s 90deg here so I can’t imagine even wearing a light sweater! 🙂
-Sammy @ peaceandloveandicecream.blogspot.com
sounds like puppy heaven to me!
I love how happy and excited all the dogs look! Dogsledding is definitely on my bucket list!
I have never heard of dog carting, but it looks cool! Those dogs love to work. Your lunch looks quite yummy too!
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.com