Sled dog Salvation

Tracing the incredible journey of a musher from Edmonton who fled her abusive spouse with her dog team and made it all the way into Ripley’s Believe It or Not

- Linda Fair

“In late October 1998, I left Edmonton with two dimes and a nickel, and an hour’s notice to prepare. I called my mushing mentor and told her what I was going to do, and she said, ‘That’s impossible.’ But my abusive spouse had just got his hunting rifle back and it was time for me to go. So, I hitched up the team and off we went across Canada, staying on the shoulder of the highway...”

At age 67, my memory of details are fading but I will never forget my trip across Canada by dog team. What a way to see the country and meet the amazing people in it! Next year will mark my 20th anniversary of successfully completing the journey many thought was impossible.

Luckily, my five rescued dogs had been trained to pull me on an adult-size tricycle with a small trailer hitched to it, when I used to deliver flyers along a 200-house route in Edmonton. In late October 1998, we began travelling south from the city towards the Trans-Canada Highway. My abusive spouse had given me great incentive to leave and keep going, even more so since his hunting rifle had been returned to him. And so my rescued dogs ended up rescuing me. My hobby of reading about wild foods and herbal remedies along with practising it was about to come in very handy. I was also curious about winter camping and had hoped to take a course some time. When I set out, I knew I would soon learn the hard way. Edmonton was not known for its kind and gentle winters.