Support Ernie & Copper's Last Epic Adventure

Copper "The Wonder Dog"

I am traveling from Michigan to Nova Scotia with my old deaf hunting dog Copper who only wants to be in the great outdoors....

This is probably our last big trip together as arthritis is beginning to win the battle for both of us and he now has Cushing’s disease. So here we are in the planning phase of another Epic Journey… looking for adventurous hikes, fishing, exploring and mind-blowing adventures that are dog friendly between Michigan and Nova Scotia ... (note he LOVES water and fishing... especially for minnows in the shallows)

This will be my "trip of a lifetime" for the old man and me and (though it may also be heart breaking) my wife has told me that he and I must do it. I am worried he may not make it as his days are numbered and she really wants me to get on the road as soon as possible because she is worried that if delayed, he will never get to go.

When I asked my wife Beth if she thought he would be able to make a trip like this she said, "I don't know!"... and when I asked her what to do if he gets worse?... she said, "Find a vet and take him to it and see what can be done..." and when I asked her what if he needs to be put down, she responded... "Then have him put down and have him cremated in Canada and his ashes flown home.... the bottom line is his adventurous spirit is still in his body, but his body is letting him down.... We cannot baby him at this point, and we cannot disallow him to do and be places where it is very clear he is the most happy just because we want him around a little longer.... that would not be fair to his soul.... so, take him with you... that is where he wants to be riding shotgun on your next outdoor adventure!".... so blue-green algae and tick born illnesses be dammed!!!.... we are heading into the Canadian wilderness and coastal adventures!!

In order to do this, I am walking away from work for a bit because I will never get this time back between him and I and we do not have any travel plans with any sorta direct path between here and Nova Scotia, the adventure will occur between these two points and we will find it as it presents itself.

We will be traveling in my 4-wheel drive truck with a truck camper that I just purchased for this trip. Currently I am trying to get it ready for the backwoods so hopefully boondocking will be an awesome part of this trip but not necessary either.

Copper is still very capable but fading pretty fast and though, we spent last summer in the Black hills boondocking and fishing and hiking, there were times when I had to carry him and this year, I will probably need to do that even more often.... I have tried to get my rig set up for the old man and purchased slings and stairs and reached out to places along the way that will be dog friendly if he needs down time. I am hoping we will be able to head out by August 19th.

I have also reached out to “Hiking with Dogs in Nova Scotia”, “Nova Scotia Overlanding”, “Boondocking Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada”, “Boondocking Québec”, and “Montréal Hiking” Facebook groups because I have found most travel sites and google cater to city folks and not a guy and his old dog... However, the local people in the areas I am headed to have always been the best resources (Also, as in the Black Hills, some people did not want to post their epic hidden gems on Facebook and so I just asked them to PM me privately and I would keep their special places offline... and I plan on doing the same this year). I have been truly blessed and amazed at the outpouring of support, ideas, places to stay, invitations to dinner and so much more. I find the human spirit to be truly amazing in these situations.

Nova Scotia is about 23 hours from my home in mid-Michigan so any and all must see or do adventures would mean a lot to me... off the beaten path is always preferred..... Historically significant places, ruins, and/or abandoned things and sites are always of the most interest.... Oooo and Copper is hoping for a place or 2 with a crap ton of squirrels!!!

I started this “go fund me” page to try to offset some of the expense of traveling with an elderly dog and to possibly assist in additional care he may need along the way and maybe even allow for an opportunity to experience something with him that I normally would not do because of the cost but would provide a memory I could hold on to for a lifetime.

-- Note I added a picture of him in his hay days, some from last year’s adventures and some throughout his lifetime... The black hills adventures were only made epic by people like yourselves!!! Sooo, thanks so much in Advance...

sincerely

Ernie and Copper (The old man)