Cruising With Pets

We’ve covered several topics in my columns about America’s Great Loop, but one subject we haven’t tackled (and one that The Boss, aka my wife, might argue is the most important) is The Dog. More specifically, Sherman.

Now, Sherman isn’t just a dog — he’s a 7-year-old mini Goldendoodle with the attitude of a retired sea captain and the soul of a wise old man. Honestly, the only things holding him back from replacing me entirely are his lack of opposable thumbs and his inability to drive to Dairy Queen for a late-night Blizzard — although he’s never one to turn down a Pup Cup.

Sherman — affectionately known as The Dood — is a certified heart-stealer on the docks. And yes, we’ve been known to rank the dog above the kids from time to time (don’t worry, they’re used to it). As a boat broker, I get a kick out of hearing what elaborate modifications people make to their boats just to accommodate their four-legged first mates: Boarding ramps, fake grass, custom stairs, you name it.

Potty onboard

But the No. 1 question always seems to be: “How does the dog go to the bathroom?” Simple. You don’t need a degree in canine psychology — just some astroturf and a little peer pressure.

Sherman’s training began the summer before we set out, with a humble 2- by 3-foot patch of turf on the back deck. At first, it was a standoff, but then a friend’s dog gave a little demonstration, and like magic, Sherman got the idea. From that point on, it was one sniff, and the turf became his porcelain throne.

At home, Sherman had been “bell trained” — he’d ring a bell when it was time to go out. We kept that going on the boat by hanging a bell by the aft deck door. It was functional, classy and just dramatic enough for a Dood of his stature, and what was later realized to be his way out the door at any time he feels the need for a little fresh air.

Spa schedule

Now, let’s talk grooming. Sherman has a more rigid spa schedule than The Boss herself (her words, not mine), and he maintains a bi-monthly appointment at national pet chains across the U.S. His look is not wash-and-go. Before we departed, The Boss made sure all of Sherman’s vaccination records were up to date — because heaven forbid we roll into a Petco and get denied on technicalities. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without her meticulous planning; probably giving The Dood a bath in a marina sink.

In line with the talk of vaccinations, we did face one minor hiccup, we thought, when crossing into Canada (some rumored regulation had us nervous), but it ended up being nothing but barking up the wrong tree. Sherman cleared customs with more grace than I did. As a matter of fact, our friends to the North were quite welcoming of The Dood as he waddled down the butter tart trail!

Pet hacks

One of the best pet hacks we stumbled upon was food storage. Sherman’s stomach is, let’s say, particular, so we brought a hefty stash of his preferred cuisine. The trick? Vacuum-seal clothing bags. Yep — slipped his dog food bag inside one, sucked the air out with a shop vac, and stowed it in the bilge. It stayed dry and fresh, even after two minor water intrusions. Sherman never missed a meal, which, frankly, is more than I can say for myself some days.

Most marinas we visited were dog-friendly — some were practically dog utopias. Of course, a few weren’t so welcoming, but that was more about people’s problems than pet policies. As the old saying goes, “a few bad apples spoil the bunch,” and in this case, a few unruly pups (and even more unruly owners) have made it harder for
future good boys and girls.

So, what’s the moral of the story? Traveling with your four-legged first mate isn’t hard at all — it just takes a little planning, a dash of creativity and a whole lot of treats. From bathroom breaks to grooming appointments, border crossings to bilge storage hacks, we found that including Sherman in our Great Loop adventure only made the journey richer.

With a bit of prep and a sense of humor, your dog can be just as seaworthy as the rest of the crew — maybe even more so. After all, every good captain deserves a loyal co-captain with a wagging tail.