Re: Pets on board

[Bob Schimmel <bpschim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Whenever I had my dog (American Eskimo) onboard I limited my time on the 
water to her capacities, if you get the drift. I usually took short 
trips and left right after she was done.  The odd time that she did her 
business in the cockpit was when I couldn't get to shore.  I felt sorry 
for her and sacrificed a small rug to save her bladder.  This worked.  
Asking a dog to "hold it" for ridiculous long time periods is cruel and 
unusual punishment.  Its also a great way to start organ problems.  Now 
this may may seem crazy but, she liked her privacy during this time so I 
conveniently found something on the fore deck to do.  It usually worked.

I never let her on the fore deck on her own for fear that she would jump 
overboard and swim to shore. (Lifeline netting solved this problem and 
so did leaving a section of rug in the cockpit.  It gave her traction 
that she liked). As a northern breed that loves snow and ice she also 
loves water. She has no problems diving into ice cold water in the 
spring. On the other hand this solved the "taking a bath problem" in the 
summer.  If I could keep her out of the weeds then she arrived on deck 
clean. 

Whenever I had her onboard, she wore a harness.  I never took her during 
extreme weather as she would lie at the bottom of the cockpit, 
suffering.  Just not her cup of tea.  Hope this helps.

--


Kind Regards

Bob Schimmel
(Always stay curious)


bpschim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx






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