ziekman@cox.net
Active Member
And if you haven't considered this already, be assertive on Frankie's behalf, too. Be very, very clear to the humans around you what his rules are. If you don't want him on other people's boats for his first season or forever, say so. If you don't want anyone to feed him anything ever, say so. It should apply on land and on water, but it's astounding to me how many people will pick up a dog, coax a dog to get in the water or go someplace other than where his people are, or feed anything and everything including alcohol "because it's funny," all without asking the humans (heck, people do the same thing with kids!). Some pet parents are particular because their dogs' systems are sensitive, but it's absolutely your right to say he can't have hamburgers just because you say so, even if you might give him one yourself once in a while.
If you don't care, that's fine, too. But if you do, set the tone early, firmly, and often and don't feel weird or guilty about it. You may find that your closest dog-friendly boating buddies will get to know his rules, support your efforts, and educate others, too, on those occasions when strangers join the party and might think nothing of corrupting a new dog friend!
That's absolutely priceless advice, something I've never thought of, but will now keep that in mind, as we're nearing the start of the season. Thanks so much.