Jesus, was she beside herself yesterday when we left her at home.
The boat was going in and it wasn't the most convenient
situation for her to be with us. Later on last night when we were
home watching TV, rather than being 'on top of us', she held her
distance on the chair along the adjacent wall. There was this
'you left me at home while you went to the boat' air about her
that was unavoidable. It was hard to ignore.
Maybe I should back up a touch. This dog lives for the boat.
Ever since puppyhood, she's been with us on the water. Her
short legs provide great stability on a pitching and heaving surface.
She trots fore and aft along the decks, scouting for crumbs (non-
stop eating as soon as one steps foot on this boat), barks at dogs on
land as we pass by, and at dogs on passing boats as well. She's a
true and reliable crewmember. Never a last minute 'can't make it'
call. She would drive the car to the boat if we allowed her to.
I know some of my very few readers scoff at the thought of
being able to poop on the boat, or having pillows for comfort's
sake, or the lack of hiking straps in the cockpit. Understood.
But there's nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth
having as your dog with you on your boat.
I have a hound dog, but not a sail boat. Never the less my hound would be snoozing just like Hazel on Baydogs vessel. She loves to travel and loves the sun, and she loves to mooch off of anyone who has food. Just like her master who mooches off of any one who says...Martini!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel. I spent several hours this afternoon on a boat with a moose. There's nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth having as a moose with you on the boat.
ReplyDeleteWas it your and Moose's turn to work RC?
DeleteYes. Moose McClintock has been PRO almost every week for the Newport Laser frostbite fleet this winter. He hurt his back and so has not been able to race himself, so he volunteered to be a semi-permanent PRO this winter. This weekend was my turn to work on RC and I ended up with the duty of assisting him in the start/finish boat.
DeleteI'm so jealous. Clearly, I need to downsize to a boat which can accommodate Doberwoman. As it is, I can't even have any Moose on board because they don't come in cans.
DeleteIf I had a boat
ReplyDeleteI'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a puppy
He'd poop upon my boat.
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean.
Me, my pooping puppy, on my boat.
oh bayo. what a princess
ReplyDeleteWe are working on our boat friendly gazelle. They are fast...this boat is fast!
ReplyDeleteI often have trouble racing against Catalina 30s!
ReplyDeleteThe need to poop on the deck was why fiberglass was invented.
ReplyDeleteYes, Panda. You put your finger on it: It's the teak interiors that put the Kibosh on the canines.
DeleteThis dog has never even peed on the boat, let alone poop on it. I was referring to the owners being able to. Wait, are you guys busting my chops?
ReplyDeleteDo you mean to tell me that you sailors have never pooped on your boats? Over the side or in the head, if your vessel even has a head. Tillerman, come clean please tell of your embarrassing bowel moments on your craft...and don't be so hard on the salty dogs!
ReplyDeleteDoug, I have no idea what you are talking about. My only contribution to this thread has been about doing race committee duty in Newport this Sunday. I have not been hard on any person or any dog, salty or otherwise. I have not mentioned bowel movements of dog or human. All the potty talk has been by others. I am cleaner than clean.
DeleteDoug, he's right. At least regarding this particular post.
DeleteIf I wrote a post about our dachshund it would be called "Our Dog is Our Coward." He cries like a baby when we put him in the car. I can't imagine what he would do on a boat. Hey, I got a deal for you. You fix dinner for us, we take you sailing, you leave your dog here and take our dog home. That might work. steve
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to sail with one's dog. We used to sail with our standard poodle on board the Lido 14 - that got a lot of stares and comments like, "where'd you get the French crew?"
ReplyDeleteMy pooch today is smaller, but afraid of the water and, like Steve's dog, isn't even fond of car travel.
Enjoy, Baydog.
There's an idea! Strap your dog's kennel to the top decks of your boat. Some guy running for prez did that on his car! Should work, people!
ReplyDeleteSweet and Beautiful beloved dog. Our dogs prefer being next to us in the cockpit, the salon, or at the helm. A 65 pound retriever lying on our feet at the helm could be annoying but she keeps our feet warm and dry when sailing in rough waters... We so love them.
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures of sailing with your dog. I don't even have a dog, but I think that'd be a blast to bring one along on a sailing trip.
ReplyDeletemy boys have been begging us to get one, so it might not be too long. my wife says she wants an English Mastiff, though... that'd be a squeeze bringing a dog that size on my Sunfish.
This conversation gives a whole new meaning to the term "Poop Deck"
ReplyDeleteMy2fish, English masts are stiffer than American masts if rumor is to be believed.
ReplyDelete