Salty dogs
This past weekend we brought our dogs with us, as we needed to take care of some small maintenance tasks on Shearwater. Jordan and Haley travel really well – they love hearing that there is going to be a car ride, and when we hook them up and take them outside, they seem to check out the cars…as in, “which one are we in this time?!” (since we no longer own a car, we rent). They’re little adventurous troopers.
Jordan
Haley
After the 5-hour drive from Madrid to Porto, we had some excellent pizza at a fantastic place conveniently located 500 meters from the boat, and then took the girls down to the boat to see what they thought of the boat. Apparently the smells along shore, which likely includes some feral cats and the typical rat population, were quite alluring to both of our dogs because they stopped every 2 inches to check things out. They had no problems jumping right onto the side deck of our boat (Shearwater does not have much freeboard), but they were both a bit wobbly on fiberglass substrate that gently moved underneath their feet. To get them into the cabin below, we did a bit of a handoff to carry the dogs down below safely. Our dogs are free to lounge on the sofa and beds at home, and they had no qualms about jumping up onto the settees and into the berths to check it all out.
She’s a civilized dog that won’t be relegated to the floor.
Unfortunately, our “plan” to try to get them to sleep anywhere other than the v-berth (where we sleep) was quickly thwarted as both dogs immediately took their cues from us to cuddle up for the evening in the pleasant 60-degree temperatures. We hardly complained, though. The next morning, after a super long walk along the beach, Jordan was happy to make her nest in the v-berth again.
This dog makes nests.
While we’d love to think we have some staunch salty dogs, it’s more likely that their enjoyment of the boat will be highest if they just come along for short daysails and dinghy rides now and again…so that’s the plan for now.
Haley’s probably more likely to consider jumping in after a duck than Jordan.
Jordan was happy to camp out on the foredeck in the sun, watching the world go by in between naps.
The girls in the quarterberth, while we’re doing some cleaning up. Apparently, it’s a bit boring back there.
Where is the dog in this picture?
The walk along the beach back to Shearwater.
Loved your photos of the girls. I know that they are happy as long as they are with you two!!
Chris,
I do recall only a few months ago that your Mother and I weren’t
allowed to sit on your settes without a towel under us! WHAT GIVES!!
I talked to your Mom about this and she has taken on the notion that we must be a bit less clean than J&H
John
🙂
Ha! That was because we were all sweaty and disgusting in the humid 100+ degrees, and the dogs are impeccably clean…never mind the small chihuahua’s worth of hair that got left behind on the boat to fend for itself. Plus, I think you sat in something…