The boat rocked from port to starboard so hard I slid off the seat, as did Jade who landed on the floor next to me. Drake bounded out of the forward cabin and climbed in my lap! He is oblivious to the fact that he weighs nearly 90 lbs. While he is most always self assured, when the boat rocks hard enough to cause items to slide off counters, he is not happy and always comes to me for support.
While Jade hopped right back up in her warm spot to resume her snooze, Drake sat close up against me looking out a window for more large waves heading his way. He has learned to pair the sight of large waves with the rocking of the boat. When in our dingy, he lowers to a down from his standing position at the sight of rollers. When he’s on the boat, he often scoots near me while watchful for another visual sign of approaching waves. After a few seconds of calm, he shakes off, takes a deep breadth, licks by face and heads back to where he chooses.
How much do you like boating?
The past few weeks, I have been living aboard SeaCrest our Beneteau Oceanis 36 with my husband Robert and our two German Shepherds, Drake and Jade. We have enjoyed many weekends sailing the coast of Maine in the last five years, but this summer is a very different experience! We are transitioning from weekend boaters, who have the luxury of using their water, electricities, batteries, food and other supplies freely, to Cruisers. Cruisers are boaters who enjoy spending weeks, months and even years aboard their boat navigating from one beautiful location to another.
When you are out to sea for a few weeks, it is more like camping! You have a limited supply of everything that makes this life comfortable. The captain must constantly monitor your water usage, fuel, propane, and battery life. While the first mate (me) is more focused on nutritional needs, drinking water, and of course toilet paper! Cruising is definitely more complicated. Seriously, you never know when something as simple as your flashlight battery dying or, as in our case, the larger boat house battery that powers all of the boat’s electronics.
Is Living on a Boat with Two Dogs in my future?
Will I become a full time cruiser? Time will tell. Right now, I am enjoying meeting other cruiser’s who spend all summer or longer living in their floating homes. Many of the adventurous seeking people we have met all love the water and often navigate their way from Florida to Maine each year. In my case, as we live in the Portland, Maine, we are navigating the areas from Portland, Bath, Boothbay, Rockland, Camden, East Penobscot Bay and possibly up to the Acadia area. There are so many inviting harbors to visit, it will take us many years to see all that Maine has to offer cruisers. I am being told, Maine is the BEST place to cruise as the islands and coastline are so magnificent. I certainly agree, as I sit bobbing in Pulpit Harbor on North Haven as I type this post!
As a dog trainer I am use to setting my own schedule. This includes scheduling, talking to clients with problem dogs, writing reports, and responding to emails. In addition, I am passionate about writing my book and creating more courses for those in need. As I can get set in my ways, I have needed to change my mind set this summer.
Transitions can be challenging
I am accustomed to having what I need at any given moment wether that be farm fresh foods, cold icy drinks, wifi, clean clothes or a lush field nearby to run my dogs in. I am now adjusting to the idea that we will not have access to things I might often be able to run up the street to pick up. While I initially struggled with the idea that I will not always have internet, or fresh fruit or cabin lights, I realize that I do have all the essentials I need to be happy.
Time and time again, I remind my self how lucky I am to have this time to rejuvenate, to breathe, and support my own well being with my favorite person, Robert, and my two Shepherds, Drake and Jade.
Consistency is Key
Each morning begins the same, a quick cup of coffee or tea and a trip to land in the dingy for the pups to potty. This is the time we take a long walk through the town we are visiting or a cool swim, depending on if we need provisions or not.
We have recently visited Boothbay, Camden, Castine, and Belfast. Each walk has ranged from one to three hours. The stimulation of seeing so many people and unfamiliar but mostly friendly dogs in a new place seems to tire them as it would any puppy. Upon our return to SeaCrest, Drake and Jade nap heavily in the cockpit as it rocks them gently side to side. Drake and Jade clearly love this life of exploring new places, meeting the many dogs we see in each harbor and, of course, living in a smallish space with their favorite humans.
As the pups snooze, we organize, check the weather reports, reserve future moorings, study charts, plan meals, clean (sweep the shepherd’s fur) read a book or work on endless boat projects. When late afternoon comes along, the pups may be ready to do some training with me or they may happily lay in the cockpit watching the numerous boats, birds, and people, often with their dogs, in the dinghies that often pass by. Cruiser’s are a dog loving community with many dogs aboard!
This week I have enjoyed introducing Drake and Jade to their new Dog Dock YouTube Tutorial in the works for anyone else who may want to teach their dog how to use this dock properly. Both Drake and Jade are understanding the idea that I want them to walk up the canvas to the small dock area, turn around and walk down the ramp into the cool water. I am excited to let them swim off the back of the boat when they are ready!
The Reality is…
In truth, as a high energy person with a persistence to be productive, it has taken me more than a week to slow down from my busy life of running my business, creating YouTube content and writing my book on the social dynamics of dogs. Robert is thankful I have learned to breathe, relax and am no longer pacing the floorboards, biting the leash, or whining about going for more walks.
For now, we are bobbing in Pulpit Harbor on the beautiful island of North Haven, where we have been a few days as tropical storm Debbie made it’s way through New England. We will move as the wind takes us through East Penobscot Bay heading in the direction of Islesboro, Castine, Belfast, Bucksport and hopefully beyond through the Eggemoggin Reach.
To follow along, I will be uploading photos on my Facebook page when I have service:https://www.facebook.com/CaninebehaviorcounselingLLC
You may also like my YouTube page:https://www.youtube.com/user/JudyAMooreCBCLLC
I plan to return to my business full time mid October 2024 and am looking forward to supporting you and your dog along your journey! Thank you for being here and I hope you have found some time this summer to take a break from the chaos of our world to breathe and recover.
— Judy