My canoeing partner, Russet, lives with my daughter in Washington, DC. He's now a four-year Portuguese Water Dog. We usually get together twice a year for a trip. Last year we went to Massawepie and Taylor Pond in the Adirondacks. Our trips for this year are scheduled for next month; the destinations are not finalized yet, but they'll be in the Adirondacks. I couldn't ask for a better partner - he's enthusiastic, fun and sticks with me the entire time. He picked up the process of sitting or lying in front of me quickly. We practiced in the yard (with a loaded canoe) before the trip, getting in/out three times. He's been flawless with it ever since.