Salty Dog

Isn't funny how people tend to test drive their parenting on pets? Whether we're conscious of it or not, it happens. And oh did we ever spoil this mutt rotten. He's been gone a year now, and lived a full, happy 14 years on this planet. But we miss him so.

(The happy family in The Bahamas PZ: Pre-Zach)

We've considered getting another dog, but with the plan of sailing away soon on the horizon we resist the urge. You see once upon a time he was our baby. We sailed around with this sweet mutt and from the photos you'd hardly think we were even there. It was like Schooner's excellent adventure on the high seas.

It was fun, but now with a real child on board, we know better than to take on the chore of caring for a pet while cruising. I've often thought of writing some childrens stories about Schooner's exploits. Taking a bus tour in the Exumas with his own seat. Swimming from the Malecon in Havana. Sleeping on the steps of the Museum of the Revolution. Stripping the husks from coconuts with his teeth. Falling into alligator infested waters at night in the Carolina swamps. Chasing the waves on white sand beaches. And all the while dragging that bedraggled teddy bear with him everywhere he went.

 Deep inside, I have this feeling that a dog will find its way into our lives again. He'll find us when the time is right.

(Last few weeks as King. Schooner getting the talk about the baby in my big belly)