What's one Word of Advice for Animals on Board?

[autumnbreeze27]

We're doing the same thing with our dog, so keep us posted as we'll probably be a little bit behind you

Good info in this thread!

[Dulcesuenos]

We started one cat at 4 weeks he is the epitome of a boat cat. No weather or sea bothers him. We got another cat 6 months old. She is terrified of the motion but recovers very quickly. And getting more used to it.

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Jammer Six]

Poor doggy.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by SaucySailoress

Leave them below.

It's all very well to say, leave them below, but they will want to follow you, you're their pack. Perhaps yours cannot negotiate the companionway, so that it is safe for them.

And perhaps the danger to them is a lesser value to you than having them aboard. These kinds of decisions are always EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I hope whatever you come to is not too traumatic.

Ann

[SaucySailoress]

Ok, fair point. But in heavy weather ours don't mind being confined to a cabin where they clearly feel safe. Then again, ours our quite confident dogs, we can also leave them unattended (in the cabin, of course) when we leave the boat to go for a massage or hit the town. Keeping them confined for their safety shouldn't be an issue, and I agree that any pet who is so insecure it cannot be left unattended for short periods has no place on a boat. Or perhaps even anywhere in life. Having worked in a rescue shelter for over a year, I am all for training animals properly and preparing them for any possible situation.

As for the companionway, we built ours to accommodate our elderly (11 years at the time, ancient for the breed) St. Bernard cross, so pretty much any creature can navigate it. When we don't want them up, we put the washboard in.

Before you say, we did leave the elderly dog in Kuwait at the factory (our staff wouldn't let us euthanise her, I was actually against rehoming her at that age, but they insisted we leave her with them) where she has acres to roam free, stroll from workshop to workshop for attention from the staff, roll in rubbish heaps and sleep in the air conditioned office. She is loving it, and, a year after us leaving has out survived our best expectations at 13. So I'm not against leaving them behind, I just see no need if they are properly prepared.

[SaucySailoress]

Don't know if you can see this photo and the comments, as I'm not sure what the privacy settings are, but these are the dogs, and some very positive comments from some guests we had along:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

A request... If you decide you want to befriend me to see the pics (I don't put much on my blog, but friends do tend to tag me in photos so it's a better way to follow our progress), please let me know your username so I know who you are!

[Coops]

"Currently unavailable' it says Saucy.

Coops.

[SaucySailoress]

Works for me!! It might be that you need to log in. Otherwise, if you're logged into Facebook, just search for katietee and my page is openly visible. Or I could try to copy the lot over when I get back onto wifi...

[Jammer Six]

There is no possibility that I will ever log into Facebook.

If you use Facebook to post pictures or a blog, I will never see it, and I'm sure you feel that loss as keenly as I do.

[angelfish2]

We sail with 2 Persian kitties (minus their fur in the summer) and they are quite happy. We were in a pretty big gale last year. One was looking a little green around the gills, so she simply sat in my lap and went to sleep. The other one was all sprawled out on the settee with her paws crossed. The waves were pretty big, so I'm sure there was some zero grav going on, but it never phased her.

I'd say that if a person already had a pet, then make the adjustment and take him/her along. But I wouldn't add a pet after I was already out sailing. They do take some extra effort.

[zboss]

Definitely do not add a pet if you don't already have one.

[SailSummerWind]

We have 3 cats and do part time , 2 months out of year cruising.
Our cars are the rest of the year indoor cats. 2 of them got seasick on our first crossing but doing better now. On passages and especially at night they are below deck and they prefer that. If they get stress some "mommy or daddy" time makes everything alright.
We have 2 cabins 2 heads boat. We share the bed but have separate bathrooms , one for us one for litter box.
2 of them tolerate the passage and one could not care less. They found their safe spot under the table in saloon and we put some nonskid under their cat bed and they are alright.
With the exception of our first trip when our youngest one puck and poop at the same time as soon as we left marina we had no incidents or mishaps.
They love the anchorages and marinas, deck time in the evening and nights. Our baby was over courageous, jumping on mast inspecting rigging while on anchor so we needed to teach her about the ocean. While I was in water next to car ladder my husband push her over the side. After the shock and quick climb on the boat,she was much more careful and we slept easier at .
In Carribean most places with exception of St Lucia so far had no issues, no special vet visits or requirements. We keep their paperwork organized in separate folder but usually nobody wants to see it.
They are not more hassle on boat than at home, but they are great companions.
They are our family and they go where we go. Can not understand owners abandoning their pets. You adopted them and promise to keep them safe. Just to ditch them because there are a bit more work. You are cruising it is not 12h works day that you are to tired to clean for 15 min after your pets...

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

There is no possibility that I will ever log into Facebook.

If you use Facebook to post pictures or a blog, I will never see it, and I'm sure you feel that loss as keenly as I do.

Let's see if this copies....


Joy Tee: don't their claws spike the dinghy?


Enmarie Tapp: No. These are truly (and fully trained ) marine canines.


Kate Tee: So, I trained the dogs to 'go swim'. They will now 'go swim' from the beach, the pontoon and the dinghy. So yesterday, we were hurtling towards shore, and I asked Marc if we should stop and let the dogs swim. Big mistake. They only heard the word 'swim'.

[Jammer Six]

Thank you, Saucy!

Just out of curiosity, and with no obligation to answer, why Kuwait?

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

Thank you, Saucy!



Just out of curiosity, and with no obligation to answer, why Kuwait?

Aheem, that would be Q8 sir for those that have spent time there