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From: Rosalie B. (no email)
Date: Mon Nov 13 2006 - 18:03:57 EST
On Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:18:23 -0500, you wrote:
>David (and other pet lovers),
>Let me state very clearly up front, I mean absolutely no disrespect by
>the following question, I just want to understand something that is
>terribly foreign to me. Why would anyone even consider bringing a pet
>on board?
Because they love their pets and don't want to leave them in a kennel
for the long term, or send them to the pound.
>Downsides, pet hair, food, bathroom issues, smell, fleas and ticks,
>damage due to chewing or claws, and the general concern that someone has
>to watch the animal limiting your freedom of movement unless you always
>take the pet with you everywhere you go longer than a day or two.
>
Pet hair is probably a given, but is more a problem with some animals
than others.
Food - no more of a problem than food for people.
Bathroom issues - cats usually use a litter box just like at home. I
will deal with dogs in a minute. Birds - newspaper.
Fleas and ticks don't live on well cared for animals, and they are
unlikely to get more if they are on the boat. My mom's indoor cats
never had fleas for instance.
Damage - if you are there with the animals all the time, then there
won't be any damage any more than there would be ashore. A well
trained pet does not damage their home. For cats you can have a
scratching post.
Limiting freedom of movement - no more than ashore. What does one do
with a pet ashore if they are gone more than a day or two? Same for
the boat.
One you didn't mention is that some animals get seasick and/or hate
the sound and smell of the motor.
>Upsides, companionship from an animal that doesn't judge you or yell at
>you or spend all of your money on shoes and handbags?
>
>Please enlighten me, I have never understood this.
>
>Let it be known that I do think many animals are cute and cuddly. I am
>not an animal hater. But this is a small space we live in. And I am
>borderline OC when it comes to cleanliness. What makes the downsides
>worth it? Thanks in advance for helping me understand.
>
>Sam
>
>p.s. I really have no issues with one's right to keep a pet on board, I
>just don't really want one on my boat...
>
>
>David Pelly wrote:
>> I’m ashore at the moment, but have lived on board in the past while
>> cruising on my 42’ C&C. Having recently adopted a 4-year-old lab, I’m
>> now wondering how to prepare him for life on board, as I plan to launch
>> again in May, and resume the pleasures of the live-aboard sailor. In
>> particular, what is the recommended training so he’ll manage his toilet
>> requirements at sea? And where does one get any special
>> equipment/materials needed?
>>
OK - the problem you will have is that your lab is not a puppy. He
will love the water, which is a plus, and probably won't get seasick,
but it may take awhile to retrain him.
Many people train their dogs to go on a piece of indoor outdoor
carpet. Then they put the carpet on the foredeck, and once the dog
has used it, they wash it off in the water. If you can't train the
dog to do this, then you will probably have to take him ashore twice a
day so he can do his business. Some dogs will be able to jump
overboard and swim to shore and then swim back, but that is pretty
rare.
The other item you will need is a life jacket by which you can lift
the dog (without him slipping out of it) into the boat if he falls or
jumps overboard. Or train him to come up a boarding ladder, depending
on your boat.
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