Memorable Adventures: A Journey with Guia the Dog

The Unexpected Encounters

Some adventures are more memorable than others. I’ve experienced many epic journeys—ones that push me to my limits and expand my view of the world. Yet, often, it’s the small moments that linger in my memory. An unexpected interaction with someone I meet along the way can leave a lasting impression. In this case, it was a little dog who followed us on a mountain bike ride. This experience stands out from the four months my husband and I spent traveling in South America.

I have a special tenderness toward dogs that I don’t often feel for people. After twenty-seven years as a paramedic, I learned to disconnect from human drama. However, dogs are different. Their companionship often feels more genuine than that of the people I meet while traveling. Not that human connections aren’t memorable, but there’s something about the free-range dogs of the world that reaches across my defenses, inviting me to engage more deeply.

For this reason, I always carry dog treats when I travel in countries with many stray dogs. A simple treat can disarm a snarling dog, feed a hungry one, or befriend a curious one. However, sometimes, this leads to interesting misadventures. One such day, I met a little blond terrier during a mountain bike ride with Runa Away Adventures outside of Cuenca, Ecuador. I shared some tasty Pupperoni treats with her and her packmates, instantly capturing their attention. One adventurous little dog decided to follow us, hoping for more treats along the way.

Giving treats to the local dogs. Guia is on the right.

A Lesson Learned

That day taught me an important lesson: never give dogs treats at the beginning of a long adventure if there’s any chance they might follow you.

Guia's Journey with Us

We named the little terrier Guia, which means "guide" in English. She ran alongside us for nine miles from Lake Busa to the entry into the Yunguilla Valley. After that distance, we decided she needed a ride. Leaving her in the countryside was not an option. I scooped her up and placed her in my backpack. With her new perch high above the ground and her head resting on my shoulder, we sped down a dirt road and back onto the pavement toward our endpoint.

When we arrived, Guia stayed in the pack—dazed and exhausted—until she finally mustered the energy to explore the local gas station and its resident dogs.

Guia, dazed and tired at the end of her ride in my backpack

A Fond Farewell

When it was time to return to our starting point, we loaded Guia into the taxi with us. Before heading back to Cuenca, we made a detour to drive her back up the hill to where she lived with her packmates. My last memory of her is looking expectantly at a tourist as we drove out of the parking lot.

I’ve often wondered how she’s doing. Does she have owners? Is someone feeding her? Is she faring well? I thought about adopting her, and if I’d been at a different point in my life, I might have tried. Still, I felt she had a pretty good life at the resort: restaurant scraps, adoring tourists, and a free-range existence.

A Surprise Connection

A week ago, I saw a photo posted by Gaby, the young woman who rode with us. She was camping at Lake Busa, her tent set up on a platform. Beneath it was a little dog who looked just like Guia. I asked her if it was the same dog. Gaby hadn’t realized it, but yes—it was. Later, she sent me another photo of Guia standing next to her on the tent platform, confirming that our little adventure dog was still there, still guiding travelers along the way.

The Adventures of Milo and Guia: A Tale of Two Dogs

For more photos of our adventure with Guia

For fine art photos of Guia and Ecuador