Cruising With a Dog - HELP!

Envirella · #1 (**permalink**) 01-23-2002

Long term living-aboard / cruising is in my one to two year plan. Although I realize I have some time, I have been agonizing about how my dog will fit into this scenario. I REALLY don''t want to leave him behind, but he''s getting old and has some health problems. I know many people cruise with dogs. If some of you would be so kind as to share some of your experiences, I would be forever grateful!!!!! Thanks to everyone for sharing.

bporter · #2 (**permalink**) 01-23-2002

I''ve never lived aboard, hope to someday, so I am hardly the voice of experience. Prepratory to living no board someday (hopefully!) I''ve been doing a ton of reading. The one book I''ve come across that talks about the impact of pets & world cruising is "Gentlemen Never Sail to Weather" by Denton Ricky Moore.

In "Gentlemen Never Sail to Weather" the author goes in to some detail about the trials and tribulations of having their dog and cat on board. The problems he relates are primarily tied to customs and quarantines.

Basically, in some countries their time to stay was cut short by their animals, they faced increased expenses and less flexibility in where they could anchor and moor. In some ports they were not allowed them to tie up at any docks. So food, water, fuel, etc. all had to be dinghied out. In many cases there was simply extra hassle and expense due to the presence of te animals.

Keep in mind this was written in re: a trip in the early/mid eighties. I''m not sure with all of the the Mad Cow/Hoof & Mouth paranoia if it''s gotten better or worse.

Anyone know - are pet lovers getting tormented by customs agents these days?

bobneidhardt · #3 (**permalink**) 01-24-2002

Envirella,

I am hoping to take off in 2 years. My wife and I are currently dogless for the first time in many years. She would like to have a dog on board. I don''t want the hassels. We don''t have any plans to do any foreign cruising except for the Bahamas, and I don''t know what the restrictions are there for pets. Beyond that, the thing that concerns me the most is that we do expect to travel away from the boat for a few weeks at a time for the holidays and probably just to get of the boat. What do you do with the dog then?

BigRed56 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-24-2002

Ahoy Ye dog lovers. If in I was conteplating a cruise such as ye say I''d take the old dog or buy a new dog no matter what. I always keep three or four of the mangy critters aboard for amusements on those cold lonley nights and on more than one occasion I ete the plumpest when the stores run low. Tis a fine good meal with me Rum . AARHH Big Red the Pirate of Pine Island.

Raindance · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2002

I wrote a pretty lengthy letter on my experience cruising with two golden retrievers (one of them was quite old). You can find it by going back to June 19, 2001. The title is in all caps, called "CRUISING WITH DOGS." Hope it helps a little.

halyardz · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2002

I''ve done some short cruises with my old pal (now passed) but always felt it wasn''t fair to him. Made me feel good but I think he would have liked staying home better. That said, there is nothing more irking than having a boater cradling a yipping small breed in the slip next to you. I feel like bringing one of my Maine Coon cats down to the boat so they can have lunch on the little twirps.