There were other purposes for dogs. In August of 1812, Miles Macdonell writes about Fort Alexander that, although it was on a river (the Winnipeg) key to commerce, the river “was a scarce place for provisions. The Canadians killed two dogs for their supper.”
The winter of 1825-6 was a bitter winter. The Bison disappeared, and travel across the massive drifts of snow was nearly impossible. Dogs became a part of the diet of the starving colonists.

Miles Macdonell and the 1811 Work Crew are still at sea – in Hudson’s Bay now and heading south. In his journal, he records:

Very fine weather & favorable moderate winds & smooth water which has been the Case since entering the Bay.

“After some consideration with Mr. Cook last night he would not take upon himself to advise me comply with the request of the people though he saw the propriety of some of their demands, such as they Tobacco.- Consequently I have this morning received 9 1/4 lbs Tobacco from Y.F. for their use on my own responsibility.- The Rum they are not to have a regular allowance of , but that they have refused to my own generosity. The Trowsers I must deny them entirely & as for the additional allowance of provisions I have made them sensible that they will have what will be sufficient if they only exert themselves to make a quick passage of it- So that everything is settled to their satisfaction in the best manner we can- and at 7 O’Clock in the morning the two Boats got under weigh with fair wind-” Archibald Macdonald Journal