Final goodbye to my faithful boaty dogs

[longjohnsilver]

Please excuse me being a little self indulgent, but my 2 lovely dogs were so important to me and my partner. Both lived to the ripe old age of 16, a few people on the forum knew them both, they always accompanied us on our many trips to Scilly, CIs, all around the West Country and one extended trip to France, as well as to Spain to use our small boat there.
Sadly we lost Pip, our Jack Russell terrier on Friday, and Buster, the Yorkie JR cross left us last year, so for the first time in over 18 years we don’t have the amazing company of a 4 legged friend.
We will always remember the great times we had with them both. Here’s just a few pics taken over the years , I hope you enjoy them. The first was taken off Slapton, the second in the Cove in Scilly and the last in Fowey. They both loved their dinghy rides!
Please feel free to add more pics of your sea faring canine pals.

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[petem]

That's really sad John. The house (and boat) will seem very quiet without them I imagine.

Do you think you'll get another dog, in time?

 

[longjohnsilver]

Thanks Pete, in time, maybe, probably........
We always thought that when we were dogless we would do more travelling for a few years, not much chance of that now!

 

[Portofino]

Sorry to hear that as well LJS .Little dogs do add I think an extra dimension to boating .
Ours is 13 .Goes everywhere with us .Dogs , little ones are a bit more acceptable in the rest of Europe , restaurants, shops etc .


Even boat shows , He’s been on a few boats .

 

[sarabande]

When I lost my last dog, it took me nearly six months to stop looking at floor level to avoid treading on paws or kicking a water bowl. They are amazing mind readers and companions, and the soul emptiness is painful.

Marvellous and evocative pics; you must have had a lot of fun with them, and now have a thousand wonderful memories.

 

[BruceK]

My heartfelt condolences. Our mutt is inseparable from us, he's a constant shadow. Not sure how we will take it when his time comes.

 

[longjohnsilver]

What I forgot to mention is that I chose both of them for their size as being easy to deal with on a boat, and both of them experienced the boating life the day after they first arrived home with me. They were known and loved by many people, especially the youngsters at the Exe sailing club. They are all now adults, and I’m still asked about the dogs by quite a few of them. Whilst I was in the club, the young kids used to queue and take it in turns to walk them on the beach. A few of them are now well known international sailors.
Happy days. And yes, lots of fabulous memories.

 

[Bouba]

Condolences LJS, it’s a feeling I know only too well, as my mother once said, they will always break your heart. While I always plan what to do during the dogless time, my wife is always planning the next dog.
As a thanks for a wonderful life shared we give a donation to a dog charity (eg, All Dogs Matter) to help those less fortunate find a forever home

 

[longjohnsilver]

Condolences LJS, it’s a feeling I know only too well, as my mother once said, they will always break your heart. While I always plan what to do during the dogless time, my wife is always planning the next dog.
As a thanks for a wonderful life shared we give a donation to a dog charity (eg, All Dogs Matter) to help those less fortunate find a forever home

Thanks bouba, and to everyone else who has replied. I think it was you who mentioned the Dogs Trust many years ago. Since then they have received a good number of donations from us. And the PDSA, amongst others.

Here’s another of them both on Dawlish Warren, with my sea warrior and dive boat, our shared Aquastar on my Exe mooring in the background.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Coincidentally the sea warrior, Sasha, was named after the previous owners dog.

 

[Scubadoo]

Sorry to hear that John, dogs are part of the family and I know how you must feel, treasure those memories (great pictures).

 

[Richard.C]

Sorry to hear this LJS, when we lost our last dog we said we'd take a year off but only lasted 3 months before deciding we needed another 4 legged friend in our lives. It's extremely difficult when they've shared in your life as deeply as yours obviously did, looks like you've got some great memories though.

 

[Fjord John]

Sorry for your loss LJS. We love our little Lola, so feel for you.

 

[Sneds]

We feel your pain and understand how you are feeling

 

[SolentDavid]

So sorry for your loses. I said goodbye to mine earlier this year, on my birthday of all days so I really feel for you at this time.

 

[vas]

condolences LJS,

we are fairly new to dogs, ours is only 6, but daughter decided to take her with her now that she's starting her uni studies as far away from home as possible...
So down in Chania Crete atm, setting up and helping her in her new home with Ira, whom we'll see again at xmas :-(
BTW, brilliant sea dog, excellent and extremely fast swimmer, enjoys her vacations onboard and swim each summer!

not her best haircut, we've changed groomer (is that the right word?) since

 

[longjohnsilver]

condolences LJS,

we are fairly new to dogs, ours is only 6, but daughter decided to take her with her now that she's starting her uni studies as far away from home as possible...
So down in Chania Crete atm, setting up and helping her in her new home with Ira, whom we'll see again at xmas :-(
BTW, brilliant sea dog, excellent and extremely fast swimmer, enjoys her vacations onboard and swim each summer!

not her best haircut, we've changed groomer (is that the right word?) since

View attachment 100482

Yes, groomer is correct Vas. Poor hound, I can see why you changed the barber.

 

[kashurst]

A very sad day.

 

[AndieMac]

They are a huge part of your life, and sharing your boatIng passion makes the experience that much better....they seem to love those dinghies

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yes, they certainly loved the dinghies.