DOG ‘SLEDDING’ WITHOUT THE SNOW By Andrea Cranfield | Photos: Cindy Lottes Photography
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pack of dogs flies over smooth ground, tongues out and flapping, sleek, athletic bodies covering great distances with every stride. They run faster and faster as the pack’s excitement builds, each dog fueled by the others, working effortlessly to tow the heavy load. They are quiet as they run, different from the pre-race tumult when they barked and wailed, raring to go, right up until the cart brake is released … and they’re off! And then silence except for the sound of the cart wheels grinding like a car which went off the road, and squeals of delight from the passengers, thrilled by the speed – up to 34 km/hour. Dogsledding has always been an appealing option for families during the cold winter months, but they’re still “sledding” in summer at Timberland Tours in Bristol, Que., about 45 minutes west of downtown Ottawa.
Timberland owner Denis Rozon has been mushing for 42 years, and opened the company in 2008, offering summer sledding that same year. The same sled track is used summer and winter, winding through a red pine forest, and people “come from Europe, they come from everywhere, Australia, everywhere” to use it, he said. The main difference between summer and winter dog sledding is the cart. Instead of runners under the sled, the cart sits on big wheels that roll along as the dogs run. In winter, the dogs pull two people at a time, one sitting in a small sled while the other stands and steers. Then the riders can switch. In summer, up to 10 dogs (compared to three to five in winter) haul big metal carts that hold up to 10 people while Rozon drives. Put aside about half a day if you go to Timberland because it’s not just about the sledding. Rozon loves his dogs and wants his customers to be able to bond with them.
Three distinct and separated areas in the pub
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Moose McGuire’s is an exciting new family-owned neighbourhood pub in both Ottawa South and Almonte. Moose’s is a collaboration of 3 service-minded industry vets with a combined 60years of hospitality experience.
The freshest and tastiest pub fare in the city. Always delicious and reasonably priced, from our 5 star kitchen. Weekly Chef-created specials. Book our private room for groups gatherings.
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3320 McCarthy Rd. Ottawa, ON 613.680.4411
385 Ottawa St. Almonte, ON 613.256.2555
At Moose’s we serve the freshest and tastiest pub fare in the city. Always delicious and reasonably priced, you’ll enjoy everything that comes out of our 5-star kitchen.
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