Dog's Life

Canoe Canines

By Caren Baginski

When Gracie, a black Labrador Retriever, and her owner, Darren Bush, hit the water together, they get noticed. The boating duo hears a lot of, “That’s really cool. I wish I could get my dog to do that!” from fellow canoeists. Bush, who owns Rutabaga Paddlesports (www.rutabaga.com) in Monona, Wisconsin, introduced Gracie to the canoe when she was 1 year old. Now 8 years old, this water-loving Labrador has definitely found her “sea paws.”

Bush used treats and encouragement to help Gracie feel comfortable inside the canoe on dry land. After Gracie got used to the boat on the ground, Bush tied the canoe to the dock and repeated the process. Soon, the duo took off downstream in a canoe and enjoyed taking an adventure together. Now that they can enjoy canoe rides together, they spend even more time with each other.

Their first big canoe adventure together was on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway that runs through the southwestern part of the state. For most of the trip, Gracie dozed in the canoe until they stopped for a picnic break, complete with snacks and belly rubs for Gracie. “I got a little thing called a thwart bag that hooks on right in front of me… and carries a water bottle,” says Bush, adding “she gets a little bag of treats in there, too.” During their overnight trips, the two enjoy a nice dinner since they are so used to doing everything together.

But the trip isn’t just all floating. The duo loves to take a quick dip in the river when the water is warm and calm enough. (Life jackets are available for dogs of all sizes.) And a game of fetch together is exactly the fun they need to get them ready to get back in the canoe.

So, when’s the best time of the year to canoe with your buddy? “If you’re unsure, go when the water’s warm,” Bush says. But anytime is the right time to have fun with your canoeing buddy!