About My Blog

My Life in Charleston

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:59:44 -0400

I haven’t written in my blog for a long, long time. Since my last entry, we’ve left Corpus Christi, traveled for weeks, stopped a few times at marinas, and finally ended up in Charleston. I love it here!!!

First, we are at a marina that is right across the street from a big dog park. Every morning, at about 7:30, we walk over there and I get to play with all my new friends.

This is Raleigh playing with Tiger Lily. There are about ten of us who are “regulars” at the dog park. I like to run and play with the other dogs, but I also spend a lot of time going from person to person, getting lots of attention. It’s not real hot in the morning, but one of the people brings bottles of water and I’ve learned to drink out of the bottle.

In the afternoon, we go back to the dog park and I chase balls. That’s what I’m doing in the photo above. I’m getting in much better shape with all this exercise.

Another thing I like about Charleston is that there are lots of beaches on the ocean and they actually let dogs walk on them. In Florida, I wasn’t even allowed to walk on a sidewalk next to the beach, but here I can go anywhere.

I’m learning to like the water more, although I still can’t make myself swim over my head. I used to be afraid of waves, but now they don’t bother me.

One thing I’ve learned about beaches is that if you dig a hole and lie in it, it’s much cooler than being on the top of the sand. So, when we go, I have to spend some time making a hole for myself. Yes, it gets a little messy, but what’s a little sand?

We are here in Charleston for awhile, and even though I like to sail, it’s nice to be in the same place for more than a day or two. So, I’m enjoying it while I can because I don’t think we’ll be here forever.

I guess I’ll be pretty sad when we have to leave, since I have so many good friends here.

Click here to see photos of my buddies at the dog park.

A New Place to Sleep

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:15:41 -0500

My favorite place to rest on the boat is out on the deck. But, often I have to be inside. There are some nice comfortable cushions on the couches in the saloon. I usually stay off them but at night when Jan and Mark are sleeping or when they leave me alone to “guard the house” I like to climb up on the couches. I can’t sleep in the cabins because I am afraid to go down the companionway steps.

I guess I was getting the cushions dirty, as Jan recently took the covers off and washed them. I must admit, they look good, but suddenly every time I am left alone, the cushions are taken off and stacked up so I can’t jump up on the couches. Darn! I do have a nice comfy bed under the table, but I can’t see what’s going on so how on earth do they expect me to guard this place??

Well, my snacks and food dishes are close by, and there is an air conditioning/heat vent right next to me, so it’s not horrible to be here under the table. I guess I shouldn’t complain. Still, if they ever forget to put the cushions up............

My Friend Blondie in Corpus Christi

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:33:30 -0500

Well, I haven’t written for awhile, but we’ve been in Corpus Christi since January 9th. I enjoyed the trip from Mobile to here. We were usually on very quiet, calm water, but there were a few problems. I only got to go ashore in the morning and at night for three weeks. (Usually, I get three walks a day.) Sometimes I didn’t get to go for a walk when we stopped. We had a problem with the motor on the dinghy and it stopped working. Notice in the photo that the motor is out of the water and Mark is rowing. Sometimes we couldn’t get close enough to row ashore, or it was too wavy or windy, so I had to wait. Once or twice I used the trampoline at the front of the boat, but I didn’t like that. A few times we stopped at marinas and then I had nice walks.

Some of the time it was really cold on the boat. I usually slept under the feet of whoever was steering the boat. But, I did discover that if I got on top of something called a generator, it was really warm. So that’s what I did if it got really cold. In general, I like to be outside, but sometimes I knocked on the door with my paw and asked to go inside. Other times, I got wrapped up in a big towel outside to stay warm.

Eventually we got to Corpus Christi. I love it here. First of all, I get to go on walks at least three times a day again. I don’t have to walk past mean dogs like I did in Mobile. We take long walks along the water, sometimes going to a beach, and sometimes walking on sidewalks past big buildings. There are a couple of problems. First, it’s very windy here. It doesn’t bother me because I like the wind. But sometimes it blows so hard that not only is my ramp almost straight up in the air like it always is, but it goes several feet away from the boat. Scary!!!! One time I was climbing up the ramp and I slipped off. Mark had my leash attached to my halter, so I just hung there until Jan could come and pull me over to the dock. Now I hate going up that ramp and they have to practically push me up.

Every morning when we go for a walk, Mark takes me to a part of the marina where there is a big cement area. Since no one is up that early, I get to chase balls. Sometimes I even get my leash taken off!!

The BEST thing I like about being in Corpus Christi is I have a new friend. Her name is Blondie and we get to run around without our leashes when we’re on our dock. Her boat is close to ours, and there are hardly any other people around on our dock, so when it’s just us they take our leashes off let us run up and down the dock.

Blondie doesn’t live here all the time. Her people live in San Antonio and come here every week or two for a few days. Quite honestly, I think I’m a little wilder than Blondie, but she chases after me and we have a fabulous time. We just got back from a walk. When we left, I ran over to Blondie’s boat, but she wasn’t home. However, when we got back she was waiting for me!!!

I was starting to look a little motley, so I got a haircut today. I sure feel a lot better but I do feel a little naked. I had to get a bath too, but I think I was starting to smell bad so that’s OK. I wouldn’t want Blondie to go back to her other friends in San Antonio and talk about “Stinky Daisy” in Corpus Christi.

Sure Wish I knew What Was Going On

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:21:28 -0500

We left Mobile about a week ago. We stop every night and most of the time I get off the boat. Sometimes, they take me for an early walk around dinner time and then I don’t get to go out again until the morning. Sometimes I don’t get to go out at night OR in the morning. I’m getting good at holding myself. They tell me to “go out in the yard” and then they take me up to the front of the boats where there are these rope trampolines. I really would rather wait, though.

Today, for instance, I didn’t get to go out in the morning. Last night, we stopped and we took the dinghy over to a little house with a dock. No one was there, so we took a little walk there and went back home. Then, we took off in the big boat a little farther down the way. Someone had called us on the radio and said that wasn’t a good place for us to stop. So, this morning, we were too far from that little house to go by the dinghy and most of this area is swamp.

A few days ago we stopped at a real nice dock with a park next to it. I got to run and play for awhile there. I heard them say that we have another two weeks before we stop for awhile and stay in one place. I guess I can handle that. As long as I can get out, do my thing, and run around a bit, I’m happy.

High Tide

Fri, 5 Dec 2008 18:33:09 -0500

Good thing I practiced on my new ramp when it was straight across to the dock. This morning it would have been about a three foot jump off the boat. It was easy going down when we went for a walk at 7 am, but when we got back I wasn’t interested in climbing straight up. The ramp is six feet long when it’s extended and it’s extended all the way in this photo above. So, it was about three feet out to the boat and three feet up. I had to do quite a bit of thinking about it before I got up enough courage to climb up. Since it’s like sandpaper, I didn’t slip, but it was still a relief to be back on the boat.

No More Jumping

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 11:31:11 -0500

I have a new way to get onboard Seas the Day. It’s a ramp made just for dogs. It can get longer or shorter (telescopes) and even floats! We got it at Petsmart and it holds up to 400 pounds. I better not see any people using it though!! It is covered with sandpaper material and kind of scary to walk on at first. In the photos above, I am just walking straight across and up a little. At high tide, it will be like climbing up a hill, but much safer for me than the 4 foot jumps I used to have to make. Sometimes I got lifted onboard, but I know I’m kind of heavy for that at 60 pounds. So, this will be better for all of us.

My Trip Back to Florida

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:55:07 -0500

One morning, we got in a car and took off. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but I like riding in cars now, so it was OK. First we stopped at a really big house. There was a little girl named Amy who was afraid of me, but I tried to be really calm and I had a good time there. After a few days we got back in the car again and went for another long ride.

Now we are in a fabulous place. I always have to be on a leash, and I never get to walk on beaches. I even almost got arrested once in Ft. Lauderdale for walking on a sidewalk NEXT to a beach. But, this is great. I can run on the sand and play in the water. I’m being really good and coming when they call me. When we get near people they put the leash back on me so I don’t run and jump on people. There are lots of dogs on the beach and I say hi to all of them. In the pictures above we walked by a house and it was named “Beach Daisy” so I got my picture taken in front of it. All of the houses here seem to have names. Then, I had to pretend I was mailing something at the Captiva Post Office. Click here to see a movie of me on the Captiva beach. Notice how well behaved I am. Unfortunately, whenever I run after birds they fly away.

Glad That is Over

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 07:44:28 -0500

I thought this trip would never end. It was OK until we left Key West. Then, it was a long time before I got off the house again. I’ve never had an “accident” in a house, and it sure got uncomfortable for awhile. Mark had a piece of green carpet that he kept putting me on on the deck. That didn’t fool me. It wasn’t grass. Finally, I couldn’t hold it anymore so I just went on the floor outside. Everyone said, “Good dog, Daisy,” so I guess it was OK, but I was sure embarrassed. Then I saw land! Yippee!! I can finally go for a walk. But, it took too long to stop so I went up to the front of the boat and went on some rope they call a trampoline. Again they said, “Good dog, Daisy.”

They took me for lots of walks the first day we were here in Mobile and I needed every one of them. There are lots of dogs here, but none of them ever seem to be on leashes or in fenced yards so every time we go for a walk, I have to greet all kinds of other dogs. The little ones are the most annoying as they bark loud and act like they are tough. Then there are some dogs who are really mean, so we always turn around and come home before we get to their houses.

Yesterday, I finally got a bath. I was really dirty and when I tried to give myself a bath, it tasted so salty. I feel great now and I see the clippers out, so I think I’m getting a haircut soon.

Chillin in Key West

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

They say that Key West is a dog friendly city and I have to agree. I could even go inside restaurants, although I didn’t get to do that when we were there today. I did go in some stores though. Lots of people stopped to pet me and that was fun. They never know what I am, though. Just like in Ft. Lauderdale, some of them think I’m a Labradoodle. Jan always tells them that I don’t shed. I wonder why she cares.

I don’t have to try to drink out of puddles anymore because I got my own water bottle. I’ve also discovered that the water I tried to drink over the side of my dinghy is salty. Yuck!

Mark was carrying a big roll of something green under his arm after we left one store. They said it was for me, but I can’t figure out why I’d need a big roll of something that looks like grass. I guess I’ll have to wait and see what they do with it.

Our House is Moving Again

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:36:08 -0400

A few days ago our house started to move again. We were really bouncing around all day. I didn’t like it so I threw up a few times hoping we’d get back to where we were soon. There were huge waves splashing up on the windows. It was not a fun day. I cuddled up next to Jan on the saloon couch and we felt pretty comfortable. Jan had a little circular band aid thing behind her ear and she said it made her tired, so we just rested on the couch most of the day. I have never been on this couch, and I love couches, so I think I’ll start sleeping on it at night after everyone else goes to bed. They sold my other couches which were in the house that didn’t move so I’m glad to get a new one finally. They put my bed on the floor when it’s time for all of us to go to sleep but I like the floor better because it’s cooler. I won’t go down the steps to where the people beds are, so I sleep alone in the saloon.

At the end of the day, I hopped in the dinghy and told my people that I wanted to go where there’s nice tall grass. We walked around a nice little park. Then I was brought back to our house and told to guard it. They left in the dinghy without me. I think I saw their friends Alice and Gavin on the shore and they were eating at a table. Hey! Why didn’t I get to go? I suppose it was another one of those places that say “no pets allowed.” I think I’m going to have to take classes to be a “service dog” because they seem to get to go everywhere with their people.

The next day, we started moving again. This time it was great! The house didn’t rock around but we were really flying fast! I spent most of the day sitting under Mark’s legs or resting by Jan. This time, it was a very long ride in the dinghy to go for my walk but I made it. I saw some dolphins on the way to land and they looked like they were having a great time.

On the third day of our trip, the house hardly bounced around and I loved it. We went VERY slow, so I had to cross my legs and wait for my dinghy ride. It was very dark by the time we hopped on it and went to a place with grass. Actually, there was very little grass, so I had to hunt around to find an appropriate place to stop.

I have been given another job, which is to guard the rope for the jib sail. When someone yells, “Ready to tack!” I have to pick my foot up off this rope. (see picture above). Then, the rope goes flying away.

I think I’m going to love when the house moves. It’s much more exciting than sitting in a house that stays in one place, like the ones I’ve lived in for three years.

Illegal Swimming

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:18:29 -0400

Jan and her friend Alice took me for my afternoon walk across the noisy bridge to the nice park walking paths. Last time we went, I got so hot they let me get a drink out of the river. Yuck! It was very dirty but I was desperate. I got hot again, but this time, the river water was too low so I couldn’t get to it. When we used to walk by the ocean, I got to walk along a low cement wall. We saw one and Jan said “Jump” like she did by the beach, so I did. However, I jumped a little too far and landed in some water. I don’t think I was allowed to be in there, but boy did it feel great. It tasted good too. I didn’t see any “no dogs allowed” signs, but I guess they figured most people/dogs would figure that out without a sign. Maybe they’ll have to put up one now. Luckily, no policemen were around or I might have gotten another warning, like I did on the beach walk.

Friday, October 17, 2008
On our walk today, I followed the rules and simply leaned over for my drink out of the fountain. Still, that swim on Wednesday was very refreshing.........

Seas the Day Nail Spa

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:43:45 -0400

I had to get my nails done yesterday because they were clicking again. I didn’t like it when they used a nail clipper on me, but with my electric “Peticure” it actually doesn’t hurt a bit. I can’t say I look forward to having my nails done, but at least after we’re finished I don’t make that loud noise when I walk. I also had a shower a few days ago and sure wish they’d give me a haircut soon. I can barely see because my bangs are hanging down over my eyes. Also, yesterday we took a long walk and I actually had to stop and rest because I was so hot. I had to lean over the edge of the seawall to get a drink out of the river. They normally don’t let me do that, but I was panting so much they probably figured they’d take their chances with the dirty water. I liked it better when we walked by the beach because if I got hot, I could get a drink from a fountain people used to wash the sand off their feet.

My New Favorite Spot

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:11:05 -0400

This is where I do my best job, guarding the house from the forward deck. I think I probably scare most people away. Lots of dogs walk by with their people. At first I wanted to talk to every one of them but pretty soon I figured out that I can’t get off the house anyway, so I just look at them, smile, and let them go on their way. From where I am, I can see lots of boats go by. Sometimes the people wave at me and say stuff like, “What a cute dog.” Smart people!

Yesterday I met two new friends. They are called Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. That’s a pretty fancy name. They live in a big building across the river from us. One of them is named Snickers and she looked just like a candy bar. Her sister is named Skipper. Their people have a boat but they live in a building too. I guess we just have a boat for a house now. We talked for a bit and then I got tired and just left them alone.

There’s another boat here that has two dogs on it. One is sort of like my mom, a Golden Retriever. The other looks sort of like my dad, a poodle, but she is a Portuguese Water Dog. I’ve heard they really like to be on boats. But, she does bark a lot.

Tonight we went back to the dog beach. It was pretty dark when we got there and there were just two other dogs running around. They didn’t have their leashes on, but I had to wear mine. I was a little afraid of the waves again. I thought I was getting used to them, but they scared me tonight. After we walked on the beach for awhile, we walked across the street to have some pizza. We sat at a table outside and I got to eat some of the crust.

Our House Moved

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 20:52:40 -0400

It started out like every other day, with our morning walk to the beach. Our friends, Alice and Gavin came over and I figured they were going to play that game, “Mexican Train,” that they like, but they started undoing all these ropes that go from our house to the cement where I like to play. Then.......it felt like we were moving, but it was sort of fun and not like the dreaded car rides. I got to wear my new orange coat and I ran around the deck while houses zipped by us. I was having a lot of fun. After awhile I started to feel a little weak, so I stretched out under Mark’s feet and tried to sleep. Unfortunately, I lost my breakfast. I didn’t feel well after that, so I got to put my head in Jan’s lap and rest.

We didn’t go back to our old place when we came back. We’re at a new place now. It’s kind of neat because we’re closer to people and dogs. There are lots of dogs walking by on a sidewalk and they are just a few feet from me so I think I’ll make some new friends. My house is the same but somehow we ended up in a different neighborhood at the end of the day.

A long time ago, I heard my people calling me “First Mate Daisy.” I think I get it now. I am supposed to help them when the house moves. Next time, I hope I don’t feel so sick so I can help more.

I Almost Get Arrested

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 16:18:26 -0400

In Ft. Lauderdale, the police seem to have bigger fish to fry than jaywalkers, speeders, and people who drive through red lights, as we have seen all of the above happen on a daily basis right in front of police cars. There are LOTS of police around here. In fact, there is a police station right at our marina.

We, being law abiding citizens and dog, always obey the rules. We wait at each stoplight until a big white hand shows us we can “walk.” I even have to sit down and wait while the cars go by. Almost always, other people cross the street when there’s a big red hand, but we don’t. Sometimes they do it right in front of a police car, but no one seems to care. Mark and Jan always carry a bag with them, since I don’t have opposable thumbs and can’t clean up after myself. There are big signs on the beach that say “no pets allowed except service dogs.” (I wonder if I was in the army I would be allowed to walk in the sand.) I have never set paw in the sand, except one Friday night when we went to the “dog beach.” We didn’t like it because all these dogs were racing around with their leashes off and their people weren’t even watching them. I guess one dog’s owner didn’t have opposable thumbs either, because he didn’t pick up after his dog. Yuck! It was scary so we left.

When we’re walking on the sidewalk by the beach, sometimes Jan or Mark say “jump” and I get up on a low wall so I can see the ocean, but I never, ever, ever go on the “beach” side of the wall. In the four pictures above, you can see me walking along the wall, and in the last picture, Mark and I are walking on the city sidewalk while a man with a “leaf blower” (that’s what we called it in Minnesota) is blowing sand off the sidewalk. The sign tells all the rules and we have read them carefully, so of course we don’t go on the beach because we are law abiding citizens and dog.

Well, yesterday Mark and I were out for our morning walk by the beach. A policeman came up to us and said we were breaking the law!! He said that the sidewalk is part of the “beach” and I can’t be on it. What????? It’s a sidewalk!!! Now, I could see if he caught me on the wall he might be upset because that is pushing it, but the sidewalk???!! He even gave Mark a paper with the law written on it. We pass other dogs every single day walking on that sidewalk. We also watch people crossing the street in the middle of it, with cars whizzing by and no one seems to care. The policeman was nice and said he wasn’t going to give me a ticket, but he wanted us to know the law. Now I suppose our days of sitting on that wall staring out at the ocean, or taking moonlight walks and looking at the lights of the boats on the water, or watching the sunrises over the ocean are over. I should have told that policeman there should be a law about dogs who shed on city sidewalks. I bet that poor man in the picture has to blow a lot of dog hair off the sidewalk and I don’t shed. So, there again I’m a law abiding dog. I don’t even litter my hair.

I Take a Shower

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:55:46 -0400

My life continues here in Ft. Lauderdale. Days have pretty much settled down into a routine. During the night I sleep under the table. There are stairs down to where Jan and Mark sleep, but I am afraid of them. Once or twice Mark has carried me down the steps, but I scamper right back up. When someone comes up the steps in the morning, that means I get to take a walk. Our path starts off next to where some people fish at night and there are always lots of good smells there. Sometimes I even find a dead fish, but I’m usually told to “drop it.” Then, we walk across a little field. Well, it’s more like a grassy parking lot that doesn’t have cars in it. We walk on the sidewalk and we’re next to the beach. I jump up on a low wall and walk along that. Usually, we stop for awhile and we look out at the ocean. I often see some new friends who seem to live on the beach. They have lots of good smells. They really like me and always want to play. There are also a lot of people walking and running in the morning.

This morning, we seemed to be waiting for the sun to rise and Jan took a lot of pictures. Then, we walked back home. This morning someone at a stoplight yelled over to us, “Is that a Labradoodle?” Geez. Do I look like a Labradoodle? People always ask that. Guess Goldendoodles aren’t very well known here. Usually I have to jump high to get back on the boat again. Then, I get some water and lie back down in my spot under the table. During the day, I usually sleep but sometimes I get out and walk around the deck. I’m learning to be a watch dog. Occasionally, I bark just to make sure I can keep my job.

In the afternoon we take a shorter walk as it’s pretty hot. Yesterday, I got a shower when we got home. At night, we take a nice long walk again down to the beach and sit on the wall some more. There are different people around the beach at night, and there is loud music coming out of the buildings.

Overall, I like my new life here. Occasionally the house moves a little, but it doesn’t bother me. I’ve gone to Camp Canine a few times to play with some new dog friends. There is a boy there who looks just like me. We get to play outside and inside. Sometimes I spend the night and sleep in a little area by myself. They have a big board where they list the dogs who are the best at something that day, like “best trick” or “most polite” or “most friendly.” I’ve tried my best, but so far I’m not the best at anything. A few days ago at Camp Canine, I was in my usual spot, standing by the fence hoping to see my car pull in. I had been at CC a few days and it was getting old. Then I heard some familiar voices saying, “Hi Daisy. We’re here to take you home. You are the BEST dog here.” That made me really happy.

BIG step

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

I’m doing my best to jump onto the boat, but sometimes it’s just a bit too high. Then, Mark helps me and I don’t have to worry about falling in. Once, I jumped before he loosened the retractable leash and I was hanging by my front paws there for a few minutes!

Living Large on the Boat

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 08:51:30 -0400

I’m having a great time living in my new home. It’s been a long month, however. Shortly before the car ride, I had to go see my doctor. She gave me shots, took some blood and we left with Jan muttering something about a $500 bill. The house continued to be emptied until finally I was just in my bed by the front door hoping they wouldn’t leave me behind.

Then came the long ride. Anyone who knows me understands I HATE riding in cars. I had lots of room, and got to get out of the car several times, but at the end of the day I tossed my cookies. I didn’t like sleeping in the motel, so I hid under the desk. There were lots of strange smells in those rooms. Finally, after three days in the car, we stopped and moved into our new home. At least I hope this is it and we don’t move again. This house moves all by itself, though, so I’m not sure what that is all about. There is water all around us. I was a little reluctant to jump on, but after Mark lifted me up the first time, I’ve made the jump on and off lots of times even when it’s about a three foot jump. For some reason, it’s a level jump sometimes and other times it’s a high jump.

I spend most of the days sleeping under a table, but we take nice walks down by the ocean three times a day. One night I got to go to a beach where there were lots of other dogs running around. They didn’t have leashes on but Mark wouldn’t unhook me. Maybe it was something to do with all those cars whizzing by on a busy street. Still, it was fun to chase other dogs and run around in the sand and water.

I’ve got a new Dog DayGetaway. It’s called Camp Canine and I’ve stayed there a couple of times. There are a lot of other dogs and we get to run and play all day long.

I get to go out to eat with Jan and Mar too. Our favorite restaurant is the Quarterdeck where I get to lie under the table and wait for treats.

So, I’m feeling pretty good now. I stay alone sometimes to “guard the house.” I always get a treat just like back in the other house when they give me that job. I’ve barked at a few people from time to time to show that I’ll be a good watchdog. I like this place and while it’s pretty hot, Mark shaved most of my hair off.

My tricks

Sat, 2 Aug 2008 16:16:17 -0400

I’m a pretty smart dog so I can do a lot of tricks. This is a picture of me shaking hands. I can also do: roll over, the bear, sit, sit pretty, figure eight, play dead, lie down, lie on my back, dance, crawl, pray, catch a treat, and downward facing dog (yoga). I’m not sure how doing all these tricks is going to help me in life, but it seems to amuse my people and they give me good treats for performing. Tonight I heard them say I’m going to have to learn some new ones: jump aboard, get in the dinghy, guard the boat, and poop on deck. I’m not sure what they mean. I wonder if it has something to do with my couch going away.