Boating Pups Return

[Linda]

Well after 7 months, Murphy (2 years) & Trapper (almost 4) and my husband & I are back from our sailboat cruise to the Bahamas, Florida & along the east coast. I am happy to report both our Cairns did remarkably well. The BEST thing I did before we cast off the docklines was to potty train them to go on an astroturf welcome mat on the boat. This saved us from having to row ashore twice daily just so they can relieve themselves. Believe me when one is comfortably at anchor, and the wind starts blowing & rain is falling, HAVING to go ashore for potty duty is not fun for anyone! Also, having them trained to go on the mat helped us make longer offshore passages 24-48-hr without stopping. Both dogs loved swimming, running on the beaches and relished in the copious attention they got wherever we were! I kept them to their home routine for eating, playing, sleeping, etc. as much as possible. And, when we were ashore at a lovely island, they got TONS of excercise! They "understood" that some days they would have to be content with playing onboard. Murphy got seasick 3x. But once she was sick, she was fine. A couple of times we had REALLY bad weather when we were sailing with no safe harbor around. The pooches were pretty scared (hell, so were we!). I think they had hyperventilated & both were hiccoughing pretty bad. After I helped batten down the hatches & saw that my husband was OK at the helm, I stayed down below with the dogs. I just hugged them until we were all calmer. Next time (yikes!!!) we go, I MIGHT get a mild tranquilizer for them. But overall, the entire trip was a wonderful bonding time for us. But my babies were really happy to be home in their safe back yard! If any of you are planning a similar trip or just want to go boating with your pup, I'd be happy to offer any tips on provisioning, grooming, getting enuf excercise, medical/1st aid and potty training. Thank you for all your help & ideas prior to our big nautical adventure.

[bradl]

Wow - what an adventure! You should write a book about it - Cruising With Cairns. Publish one chapter at a time on Cairn Talk Let's begin ...

Chapter One - As the Course is Plotted, A Plot is Hatched

Wherein Murphy and Trapper conjure a cunning plan to stow away on a cruising adventure ...

[CathyAnn]

Welcome back, Linda!

I have thought of you since your last post. If you remember, I volunteered to be your cook on your cruise .

Would love to see some pics of the cruise and dogs!!

Cathy

[Eliz222]

Welcome back! I'm glad that you all made it back safe and sound! Your trip sounds wonderful, but I'm afraid I would be too sick to have any fun....hate getting sea sick!

Did you take any pictures??? I would LOVE to see some of the Cairns running around the beaches, and of course, on your boat!

[Linda]

Thank YOU all for the welcome home. For the 2 humans aboard SV Joie de Vivre we're enjoying plently of long, hot showers, a bunk that doesn't move and no worries about where to hide out in bad weather. For Murphy & Trapper, they're enjoying chasing squirrels in our backyard, twice daily walks and dog park visits. But somehow, I think we ALL miss swimming in the the 75 degree turquois waters, miles 'n' miles of sandy beaches and very friendly natives. And, Bradl...I think I WILL write of our adventures (from the pup's point of view). Cathy, we should have taken up your offer as cook!! My husband was getting tired of "Chicken of the Sea" 12 different ways! Photos to come..as soon as I get them off our lap top & transfered online. Cheers all!

[Brigette]

Great adventure! We take wee-wee pads on our boat for the pups, but we dont go out for quite as long as you-maybe a weekend or four days at most. I buy the adult bed bads from Sam's club to save money-they are the same thing you buy at the pet store and you can buy them in bulk. My youngest dog Loki thinks its his boat and sits in the captain's chair barking at other dogs who pass by in the marina. He has a tshirt that says "I'd rather be sailing" but my husband cringes when I dress him. I love being able to take them on the boat, I hate boarding them when we're gone (which is every sunny weekend).

[toomanypaws]

Welcome back Linda! I remember when you were taking off on your adventure and have thought about you. I agree, you should write a book about sailing w/ pets. Maybe part of it could be the cairn's point of view and another section could be your advice on provisions, grooming, excercise, medical/1st aid and potty training.

I wonder if you ran into a family I know that are currently sailing. They're sailing on Columba w/ 2 small children. They left in January and were in Keywest for a while before sailing to Nassau. They stayed at Yacht Haven in Nassau before sailing down to Exuma and came back to Nassau early in May and stayed at Nassau Harbour Club. They've been keeping a log on their website w/ photos. The water there is so beautiful. Did you sail down to Iguana beach or either Allens or Normons Cay where the pigs are? I can just imagine my cairns going crazy over iguanas or pigs! It's quite amazing just how many people are out there sailing.

Please share pictures soon. I look forward to seeing them.