From Mud to Lotus: How Hardships Ignited the Creation of the World’s First Multi-Sport Dog Adventure Club
Part 1: The Disappointed Dreamer
Throughout my life, I've been a dreamer and an idealist, always chasing what stirred my soul. I’ve worked tirelessly to turn my dreams into reality. While you might expect the beginnings and development of Wild Pup Adventures to be a story of unblemished positivity and inspiration, the truth is that WPA and its trailblazing multi-sport offerings emerged from profound heartbreak. It became what it is today because of this: Every single time I faced a hardship or problem, I did everything in my power to find a solution, alternative, or improvement. As Thich Nhat Hanh wisely said, “No mud, no lotus.” I’d be a fool not to look back in appreciation for the excruciating hardships that have been an essential element in the creation of something never before seen in the world.
The journey is tough for those of us yearning for something beyond the ordinary. For those like me who feel out of place and seek a life driven by values and meaning, society often poses formidable obstacles.
Despite following my heart, neither academic nor professional achievements ever fully matched with my uncomfortable lived experiences within them. My heartbreaks were one after another. In grad school, my mentor, who taught ethics, and served as a community leader, was caught and imprisoned for crimes which violated the women he was supposed to serve, including me. Even when I held a job title within an organization I fully and deeply believed in—one whose mission mirrored my own aspirations—the reality of my daily work life destroyed my drive and enthusiasm, leaving me lethargic and frozen. In another work environment, the idyllic outdoor setting was overshadowed by the toxic personalities and relational dysfunctions around me, leading to intense, long-term stress and anxiety.
For a long time, I wrestled with the question: “If I’m pursuing what I believe to be my true path, and expending tremendous effort seeking out seemingly compatible alternative settings and pursuits, which should, based on deep self-reflection, lead to my happiness, what on earth should I do and what options do I have if they’re not yielding the desired outcomes?”
Backpacking into high peaks for weeks at a time was my purest passion— one that never let me down or disappointed me, ever. Those trips always energized me and brought me into the present moment. My wilderness travels and adventures, mostly with my dogs, during my 20s and early 30s, brought me unparalleled joy and satisfaction. It was on those high peaks, hanging out with my dogs, where I found my joy. (I’d love to give a photo tour of those in another blog.)
Part 2: When Grief and Eventual Loss Changed My Path
Wild Pup Adventures began in early 2016, sparked by my profound connection with my 14-year-old canine best friend, Pup. When Pup was diagnosed with lymphoma and given only five months to live, I faced a pivotal moment. The stress the job I had at the time weighed heavily on me; I’d been hanging on by a thread, and I realized that I needed to make a change—not just for myself, but now for Pup. I didn’t want to squander the precious days of my life, or hers in continued unhappiness. Both of us deserved to cherish those final moments together. It made me really experientially understand that my time is limited too. Her diagnosis gave me the strength I needed to quit my job and dedicate our remaining time together to embracing the wild, loving each other, grieving, and experiencing each day in a truly meaningful way.
Those final 5 months with Pup
As Pup and I ventured into nature, as we had throughout her life, I found peace in the solitude in nature and the deep bond we shared. I soon realized that other dog owners might share the same desire to see their dogs live their best lives. This insight was the seed that would blossom into Wild Pup Adventures. Three weeks into our adventures, that idea felt like a relief, it felt natural, and I noticed an excitement I hadn’t experienced in a while.
When Pup passed away in the summer, precisely within the expected timeline, she left this world having offered a priceless gift, having birthed WPA into the world. She saved me. She guided me to the right trail. Pup solved the problem I couldn’t no matter how I tried. I still cry when I think of how thankful I am and how much I love and miss her.
Part 3: New Beginnings
It was only 5 months after her death that Raven, Pack Leader of WPA for 8 years, came into my life. Raven became my right hand and has played the most essential role in Wild Pup for all this time. (Future writings will focus on Raven and her gifts.) In this blog, what I’ll mention is this: I was supposed to foster Raven. It was supposed to be temporary. I was living with a boyfriend at the time, in an apartment where no dogs were allowed. Raven ended up being pregnant and after a challenging 8-9 weeks of raising 7 puppies, the question arose about whether I was going to stay in the apartment, and in the relationship, or move out and take Raven with me. I chose Raven. While this was not an easy path, it was the right one for me. This moment was another one where one of my dogs, one of my soulmates, led me on the right path. If it were not for that decision, WPA would not be what it is today. Raven played an essential role in the multi-sport activities to come. This is just another example of how heartbreak fueled the creation of the unique nature of the Adventure Club.
As WPA gained clients, I began pushing beyond the limits of the average dog walker or so-called dog “adventure” leader. Instead of the typical 2-3 miles, which was and is the standard for businesses in Portland, Oregon, I ventured farther, with dogs and then myself covering an average of 8-16 miles each day. What started as a typical 2-hour trip evolved into longer, full days. My desire to give the dogs the best exercise and experiences, and my love of adventure and sports led me to swim with the dogs, use floats in the water, climb mountains, and mountain bike in the early years.
The timeline of adding in different sports
Part 4: When Pain Inspires Innovation
The first major leap in innovation came with an idea I called “Urban Mushing”—where a pack of dogs was attached to a trike, and we adventured on bike paths. Imagine a dog sled on wheels. As my packs grew larger, I could no longer do that activity. I had to venture deeper into the wilderness to avoid people and meet our mileage goals. Over time, hiking 50 miles each week became the norm, and I developed severe hip pain, starting as a minor sensation but worsening over a year before I sought care. Rather than letting the pain hinder us, I adapted our activities to include a variety of sports that accommodated my needs while still providing my dog packs with the mileage, excitement and exercise they craved. Soon, we were out most of the day, going farther and exercising harder than ever before. This adaptability and creativity became a cornerstone of WPA, allowing us to explore everything from dirt biking to kayaking, snorkeling to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing to hiking, and mountain biking to scrambling. We’ve been doing these activities for many years now, and only a few months ago, doctors have finally pinpointed the cause of my hip pain.
All of these new activities took time to develop. For each, there are unique safety issues, training needs, adjustments and maintenance to gear, purchase of accessories, etc. The sports equipment was typically short lived because I found limitations and needed to solve problems. Every bit of profit went right back into Wild Pup, buying the best new equipment to meet our needs. When I’d saved enough, I would upgrade. It took money, time, sweat, blood, and yes… tears. But I saw the potential and invested in the vision of perfection. It’s been risky, it’s been scary, but that’s another topic. All of what I do today is the result of many years of hard work. The innovation in this area is a microcosm of what I’m describing more broadly. For every bike, for every boat, for every camera, I hit discomfort, I found problems, and the hardships caused creativity and sacrifice.
So many bikes. Growing pains, challenges, problem-solving provoked evolution.
Just one example of the many, many upgrades and constant gear testing. Showing bikes 1-5 with the total investment around $17,500 once all accessories are added in. This is just one example of the growth and development.
While the pain incited my innovation in many ways, WPA’s very identity became undeniably tied to creativity. I LOVE nature. I want to see everything, notice the details, experience things that other people don’t, look from an angle never experienced. This is why activities like snorkeling in the river while the dogs swim is a truly incredible experience. The energy of innovation allowed me to become fully creative in these ways. I often feel like a child again, exploring the natural world in a loving and intimate way.
My adventurous spirit and all the backcountry skills I’d acquired over a lifetime of being an outdoorswoman were put to good use during this period in WPA’s development. I began exploring and mapping my entire region. Learning the land, mapping our adventure areas, and understanding the terrain have been crucial to our safe journeys. Every trail we blaze, every river we cross, and every mountain we climb is a testament to our commitment to adventure and discovery, which is done responsibly, utilizing expert level backcountry skills and knowledge. But exploration isn’t just about finding new places—it’s also about relationship with the natural world.
Part 5: Trail Maintenance
Running Wild Pup Adventures is not for the faint of heart. The physical demands of leading this multi-sport adventure club are immense, especially during the intense rainy PNW winters and the hot summers. There are deadly hazards and real risks. Injuries and wear and tear are part and parcel of the job, but so too is the strength that comes from pushing through these challenges and the intelligence necessary to avoid accidents at all costs. Developing protocols and good habits is crucial for avoiding problems. I’ve become meticulous in my methods, all for good reasons. Whether it’s how I pack my backpack, how I integrate new dogs into my packs, what gear I use, or any other detail, I have given it thought, testing, and come up with best practices. In addition, behind the scenes, the effort required to keep a small business running is just as substantial and innovation is equally important in that realm.
Each day with Wild Pup Adventures is a blend of intentional action, excitement, spontaneity, beauty, and hard work. From morning preparations to late-night admin duties, it’s a life that is both challenging and deeply fulfilling.
A blend of necessity, love, grief, inspiration and ingenuity that the world’s first multi-sport adventure club for dogs was born.
No matter the hard work involved, it’s exactly what I should be doing with my life. I’m appreciative for the discomfort that gave me the incentive to change directions and listen to my heart. I’m thankful to Pup for guiding me onto the right path when I couldn’t find it myself. And I thank my body for creating limits that inspired the creation of something one of a kind in this world—something that brings joy and inspiration to others, fulfilling the idealism that has always been part of my soul. The innovation continues and I’m excited for what is to come. No mud, no lotus.
In between, there are innumerable moments of beauty, connection, fun, exploration. Today, I fight the urge to label “good/bad.”
