Monday, March 30, 2009

Working: Dockside Ambassador

Walking along the New River in Fort Lauderale, Madison spends a good bit of time as Dockside Ambassador. She meets a lot of the dogs visiting aboard sailboats and yachts. These dogs all have really interesting jobs. They have lots of stories to tell and they usually make friends pretty quickly.


Like Buster, who Madison made friends with today. Buster is a sea-going Airedale. How cool is that? Buster takes care of his people aboard the motor yacht, "Pointless," which is registered in Les Cheneaux Islands, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Can you imagine how many sea-hours he logs?
They were all the way down here, in South Florida, for a five day visit. They docked along the Riverwalk right by our condo.

Boat-dogs have to be pretty versatile. They usually wear a life vest, or stay on a tether or even in their kennel when they are out to sea. They have to be sure of foot, too, so that they don't slip around the deck.
They are guard dogs and companions and in charge of lots of things, like watching the weather and making sure that sharks stay off the boat and in the water. They have to be well-behaved in a small space, and get along without complaining in strange places. And know when NOT to jump off. They have to have FOUR sea-legs!

10 comments:

Honey said...

What a very neat life you have there Madison! Neat adventures and responsibilities out on the water! Not sure I would be too good keeping the sharks off the boat....they try to jump on board?
Cheers, Honey (13 yo golden)
www.supertrooperhoney.blogspot.com

KEY WEST COLLIES said...

Arg, shiver me timbers Buster. We bet you keep those land lubber dogs in line.

Essex & Deacon

Molly the Airedale said...

What a handsome boy Buster is! He sure has an important job!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

The Devil Dog said...

That would be a neat life, but not the life for me. I don't LIKE water. And mom would be afraid I would disappear into the deep dark sea.

Roxy

Anonymous said...

I think being a boat doggie sounds like fun - sailing along with the wind in your fur and seeing new places. Not much room to run around, though, and where do they uh...you know?

See ya!
Joey

Unknown said...

Joey, H-Mom asked exactly that question! One lady said that her Swiss Mountain Dog actually HOLDS it while they are out at sea. Can you imagine? Someone else said that they trained their Old English Sheepdog to do it on the bow - then they just hose it off.

Stanley said...

Hey, Madison!

I'm catching up on your last few posts because my girl has been a Slacker! Very cool that you meet so many seafaring pups! Buster looks like he knows what he's doing. I don't think I'd ever be able to get ONE sea leg, let alone FOUR!

That Gigantic tennis ball you all played with at the park looks FABulous! I used to have a huge purple one, but now it is completely flat... Don't know HOW that happened.

Goober love,
Stanley

Anonymous said...

Hi again, Madison! Thanks for answering my question. I hope the Swiss Mountain dog's family doesn't spend too long at sea! Guess what? I just gave you some awards.

See ya!
Joey

Niamh said...

Good job being the ambassador! I've never been on a boat so I don't know if I would like it. I like the water though. Looks like a cool life.

Your friend,
Niamh

Kess And Her Mama said...

So cool! It's not for me coz I much prefer land, but I think it's awesome.


musings on a giant schnauzer in a little MEDIUM LARGE package