This story starts off years ago on the shores of the Futaleufu River. It was in the small Chilean town of Chiaten that I met the likes of three avid kayakers from Boulder and their lovely ladies. Marty, Matt and Benny and their respective partners had traveled south to try their hand at some South American big water. Over the course of a week I was privy to paddle, party and chill with this solid group. Even though I knew how small the kayaking world was I never would I have imagined that our paths would cross again. Oh, how wrong I was.

Today, Marty works for JacksonRec so he and I are on the phone a lot and we see each other a few times a year. Benny recently moved to Reno, NV where I’ve been spending lots of time so I run into him occasionally on the shores of the whitewater park. Matt I see annually at the Lyons Outdoor Games and this year was no different. Well except that I was in need of Matt’s expertise and he was there to help.

You see about six months ago my dog Fiji started to limp. And then she started to tripod. Our mountain bike rides were cancelled and running down the shores of the river was out as well. Fiji was diagnosed with a partial CCL tear (similar to a human ACL tear) and surgery was recommended to resume full mobility. With such a high price tag little Fij was going to have to wait.

Upon hearing my story Matt Booth stepped up to the plate. He went above and beyond the call of friendship. The next thing I knew I was meeting the owner of an animal hospital and he was explaining to me that he wanted to help. As I sat there in awe of his kindness, he said to me, ‘just pay it forward.’

Fiji is now recovering well from TPLO surgery. Thank you Thank you Thank you!