I Didn't Want to Quit.

"Maybe the first time that I'm having to sacrifice a big goal for someone else" That, dear Eva, is the ultimate achievement. Well done. ❤

I am just another stranger from the internet, you don't know me. However, if its any comfort to know that strangers from the internet are proud of you, count me as one of them. Wonderful job of taking care of Vilk, and yourself. You're an inspiration.

Right at the 32 minute mark in the video, I literally winced at one of the camera shots with Vilk’s limp. Even though he turned out to be okay, who knows what would have happened if he had kept going. Right? After 30 years of outdoor adventures with dogs, I’ve learned they almost never quit. You’re the pack leader and they don’t want to let you down, so need you to make the call for them. You did the right thing.

Thank you for putting Vilk's safety first above everything else. You are a WINNER by doing that. You don't even have to finish the race. RESPECT 🙏

Don't worry, races and finish lines are just a concept and keeping your dog safe makes you a winner :)

In the military when you are hiking with your dog they are trained to hop on top of your backpack to take rests. Maybe train him over the next year to be pulled on the sled, that way you can give him the break he might need but still allow you to make time. Great decision on calling the race. Proud of you both.

You absolutely made the right decision to stop. Your love and commitment to Vilk is inspiring.

The love and companionship of a good dog is priceless.

Vilk cuddling up in the sleeping bag was very precious. He knew, as you knew that he had to rest. Well done, Eva.

Vilk is a trooper, and never doubt that you did the right thing. And I'm a vet of 48 years.

My dog and I had been working on climbing all 48 of the 4000 footers in NH, USA together when she injured her knee playing fetch at home on flat ground at sea level. I ended up taking a year off with her from this to get her surgery and do the recovery and physical therapy. I've turned back on many a hike because she wasn't having fun because she was cold or sore or it wasn't safe for her with the weather conditions even though I was fine and WANTED to summit. Their health and safety is always paramount. Every hike we do I end up carrying many pounds of extra weight in safety gear and food for her and it's worth it. The joy she feels on backpacking trips is absolutely worth all the effort it takes to bring her and prepare both of us to do it safely.

I'm proud of you. To do what you did with a dog, with all the extra weight, filming it for us at the same time, 100 km in winter above the Arctic Circle! Wow. And you sacrificed for your little friend. Kudos to you, Eva zu. And thank you.

"%100 his well being is so much more important than whatever ego or pride I may have" this sentence shows how committed you are to Vilk. He is lucky to have you!

Absolutely the right call. I witnessed a GSD pass away on a hiking trail. Always remember they will push themselves thro extraordinary pain to follow you. Love you for putting him first. There are always other races but only 1 Vilk.

In my book, you met your goal. You are so conditioned for this type of hike, no doubt you had it in the bag. Your little baby had fun and I think he was as disappointed as you were to end the adventure. I am happy you took such wonderful care of Vilk and put him first ❤️ You are a good mom.

The easy and right decision can still stink and be disappointing. We can still cry while having no regrets about our choice. I have LOVED every second of this Arctic journey and am in awe of how well you adjusted to the cold. I look forward watching you complete this race in the future! Vielk looked like he had an absolute blast on the trail and is so lucky to have a human who takes him on these adventures. His happy prancing tickles my heart 🥰

Best decision was to get Vilk out of there. My wife and I had made a long drive to make a long hike to a lake. We were more than half the distance to our destination when the two dogs were showing signs of sore paws. They quit walking to keep up, and would stop and lie down. Upon inspection we discovered they had developed blisters that ruptured on their paws. This was after having taken numerous walks on concrete and asphalt. So we cut up our gear bags and used my wife's hair bands to make shoes for them; which we had to periodically had to stop and reposition/fit. Because we couldn't carry two 80 to 100 pound dogs for miles, with our backpacks, and it worked. We returned another time, in another year, and the dogs each had their own set of Vibram-soled hiking boots and we all completed the hike.

Well, you said at the beginning that your first two priorities were Vilk, so you achieved that goal. So sorry you weren't able to finish. I think your tears were as much for Vilk as for yourself. Keep on trying and thank you for bringing us along your journey.

I like that you wont cut out parts where you dont feel comfortable, you show them as the challenge bites into you and you can see that on your face as it changes expresions. I like those differences when you are happy, tired and exhausted. It make the experience for us viewers more real and relatable. You and Vilk are great adventurers. Keep on going 💪

Love is unselfish. You put your best friend first and in doing so you 100% did the right thing! You guys did great 👏👏👏👏👏