Dogs at Sea - Was: Re: Potter 1, Power Boats 100

GSTahoe@aol.com
Thu, 1 Apr 1999 22:03:50 EST


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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In a message dated 3/27/99 5:35:19 AM Pacific Standard Time, Jkzimm writes:

<< How large is Dillon? I have two dogs (Mollie and Starr) and am
considering training one to accompany me. >>

John,

Dillon is a 35 LB American Cocker Spaniel. He is now 14 years old and
totally deaf and blind. He has not always been deaf and blind (he lost his
eyesight to Glaucoma about two years ago and his hearing to an inner ear
infection about a year ago). I have never had my Potter out without Dillon
aboard. Dill usually just stays down in the cabin during the day. When it
cools off in the afternoon he will climb out and join me in the cockpit. I
put a bimini on Lollipop so that Dillon could be more comfortable when we are
beached on a hot summer day. He has always liked the PFD, I think he
associates it with going out on the boat.

I don't know what you would have to do to "train" a dog to go out on the
boat. Since most dogs prefer a small, secure closed-in area to relax in and
they like being close to their human, they seem to take to boating
automatically. Dillon is not a swimmer, never has been. He likes to be out
on the water, but not in it. I will hold him and let him get wet during the
summer to cool him off and clean him off, but that's about it.

Bill Combs, out of Florida, on his P-19, "Ursa Minor" also always travels
with his dog, very aptly named, "Dog." Dog is a rather large dog, probably
about 75 pounds. He is one of those Chinese dogs with a round face and tons
of hair. At the moment I forgot the breed. They where Chinese fighting dogs
used to protect the castle. Oh, yeah, a lady at the office just reminded me
that it is a Chow. Anyway, Bill has sailed a good portion of the Bahamas with
Dog, staying at sea for days at a time. It always made me feel uncomfortable
that Dog would go days without pooping or peeing. It probably made Dog even
more uncomfortable. Bill said he could never get him to do that. Since all
my sailing keeps me within two or three hours of a beach, Dillon has never
been away from a place where he could relieve himself for very long.

Anyway, I have to go back to work at the moment, but if you'd like to discuss
dogs at sea any further, I'm always up to the subject.

Geoff
P-15 Lollipop (Actually with Dillon, it's "Pee-15)
Lake Tahoe, NV