It was no ordinary sight at the Quesnel Visitor Centre where Lyna Smith departed on her Russian-made motorcycle with a sidecar containing her four-legged friend, Monster Yogi Bear.
Smith has been traveling across Canada with her Shar Pei rescue dog on a Ural motorcycle since late April.
The pair from Port Elgin, Ont. arrived in B.C. after venturing down the Dempster Highway.
In Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., Smith took a swim in the Arctic Ocean with Monster Yogi Bear taking a quick lick and making a face of disgust due to the waterB次元官网网址檚 saltiness.
B次元官网网址淲e went east first and my plan was to hit all three oceans,B次元官网网址� Smith said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e now headed down towards the Pacific as our third ocean.B次元官网网址�
Smith had been planning a trip across Canada for some time and knew she couldnB次元官网网址檛 leave Monster Yogi Bear behind.
She even made him a cover for his sidecar with windows to protect him from the elements and mapped out all the pet stores along the way.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 been a lot of firsts for him,B次元官网网址� Smith said with a laugh, noting Monster Yogi Bear was even in a helicopter over Mount Robson.B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檒l be able to say heB次元官网网址檚 peed in every province and territory except Nunavut.B次元官网网址�
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Travelling with Monster Yogi Bear holds extra special meaning to Smith, who is widowed. She had told herself no more dogs when her first Shar Pei died of renal failure shortly after she lost her husband to cancer.
When a friend, however, sent her a picture of another Shar Pei from the Owen Sound Animal Shelter where her husband had gotten her first Shar Pei, Smith had a change of heart.
The Shar Pei she named Monster Yogi Bear was severely underweight and malnourished.
B次元官网网址淭hey werenB次元官网网址檛 even sure he was going to survive,B次元官网网址� Smith said, staff told her. B次元官网网址淭hey said it might have long-lasting effects, and I said I donB次元官网网址檛 care. I want him.B次元官网网址�
It took three months for Smith to fatten Monster Yogi Bear to a weight healthy enough for him to get neutered.
Since then, they have become the best of friends, typically taking the roads less traveled.
B次元官网网址淢y husbandB次元官网网址檚 also the reason I decided to do this,B次元官网网址� Smith said. B次元官网网址淲e used to travel, ride bikes and scuba dive together, so IB次元官网网址檓 like, you know what, IB次元官网网址檓 going to continue travelingB次元官网网址e would have loved this.B次元官网网址�
After Quesnel Visitor Centre staff provided Smith with information on dog-friendly places and a bowl of water for Monster Yogi Bear on Monday, Aug. 15, the two hit the road to Tofino.
They planned to make stops at numerous communities and sites along the way, such as the Hat Creek Ranch, Whistler and Nanaimo.
Smith said they hope to return to Ontario in mid-October before the snow flies.
B次元官网网址淚 just like when I drive in through towns and you see people smile, and some are like you just made my day, and IB次元官网网址檓 like good,B次元官网网址� Smith said when people see her and Monster Yogi Bear riding. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what itB次元官网网址檚 all about.B次元官网网址�
Once home, Smith will leave Monster Yogi Bear with her mom and travel solo for three more months to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii before heading back to work at the nuclear power plant.
Smith is sharing their journey across Canada on Monster Yogi BearB次元官网网址檚 Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels.
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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
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