Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/873989
DREAMSCAPES FALL 2017 46 C urled up in a ball for a snooze, the fluffy Siberian husky casually accepts his cuddles as Parr intro- duces the rest of his furry rescue family, lying on a long bed of straw nestled in the Columbia Valley near Golden, B.C. Paris, a lively Alaskan husky with electric hazel eyes, greets him with an enthusiastic hug, while big Roy continues to shy away, unsure of everyone. "All the dogs have their quirks. They're all really friendly with people, other than Roy," says Parr, who's now in his third season of operating Golden Dog Sled Adventures. "Someone said the best therapist has four legs and I totally agree. I have 14 of the best therapists." All is calm in the peaceful mountain set- ting until the harnesses appear and the dogs are hooked into position to pull the two sleds that will carry two passengers and a guide. Some squeal like children running wildly through a playground. Others repeat- edly jump as though they have springs in their legs. THE THRILL OF MUSHING "Are you ready?" asks my guide Amanda, as she hops onto the back of the sled to mush the team. I can feel the dogs' energy as they anx- iously wait to be set free. The excitement also builds inside me, wondering how fast the dogs will set the pace. B.C.'S Hidden Jewel THE CRISP MORNING AIR NIPS AT MATT PARR'S NOSE AS HE KNEELS ON THE SNOWY GROUND TO GIVE HIS BEAR A HUG. EDITORIAL AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAMELA ROTH