Last fall a team of Swedish adventurers set out on a journey that would change their lives forever. The group, Team Peak Performance, was competing in the Adventure Racing World Championship, a 430-mile trek through the rainforests of Ecuador. As the team readied for the journey, one member, Mikael Lindnord, noticed a stray dog. He was thin with a dirty, tattered coat and visible open wounds. Lindnord offered the hungry dog something to eat, thinking it would be the last he saw of the stray. Much to the foursome’s surprise, they quickly became a team of five, as the dog began following them. This courageous pup would soon be known throughout the world as Arthur.

Throughout the entire race Arthur stayed close beside them. He kept pace, climbing the rocky, muddy terrain and dense rainforest foliage. Eventually, the team reached the final portion of the race, kayaking 59 km upstream. Adventure Racing officials advised against taking Arthur into the water, as it seemed too risky for the dog. The team thought this was goodbye and prepared to leave him onshore. But Arthur was determined to continue with his new friends. Watching their kayaks hit the water, he jumped into the river and began swimming. Onlookers cheered as Arthur began the last leg of the journey. Arthur swam alongside their kayaks, sometimes seeking refuge under Lindnord’s jacket in his kayak and at other times he even ran on the shoreline.

Once in Sweden Arthur was quarantined for four months, but now he is living in his forever home with Lindnord’s family. Arthur is safe, happy and healthy, no longer left alone in the jungle. He is a full-fledged member of Peak Performance and has participated in other races. Most recently he ran in the Wings for Life World Run, a global running event in aid of the fight to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

This amazing journey led to the creation of The Arthur Foundation, an organization established to help stray dogs with proposed new laws that help protect dogs from violence and abuse. More information about The Arthur Foundation can be found at teampeakperformance.se/arthur. To keep up with Peak Performance, follow them on their website teampeakperformance.se.