Fearless

Siegel dogs have typically been mindful, cautious, sensible - oh, forget it. They have been wimps. Big colossal babies. We've had to coax them up all but the simplest of stairs. They need their ramp to cross the 2 foot chasm between the boat and the dock. Learning to get from the boat to the dinghy required special training. And when we have a tricky ramp situation with some high fixed docks... sigh.

OK, there was that one incident with Dee Dee but we suspect that was as much an "accident" as anything else.

The exception was Dyna. She was fearless. There was no ramp too high or too steep. No boat-to-dock distance she wouldn't try. And then there was the time we were going 25 knots on the Penobscot Bay on a friend's Whaler and she decided the fastest way to get from the stern to Mom in the bow was to walk along the 3 inch wide gunwale.

Today there's Dora. We knew she was different from the first day we took her to the dog park and she went straight to the biggest dog in the park - all 30 pounds of her. She backs down from no fight and continues to favor the biggest, baddest dog in the park. She often sends Dylan running (at twice her size). We worried she might have problems with the boat stairs, figuring that she had never seen any kind of stairs. We were so naive.

All outside doors remain closed at all times because boat-to-dock distance does not even come into her equation. So far, she has taken every new and strange situation we have thrown at her without so much as a hesitation. You could say we thought she is pretty darn confident. But we didn't appreciate how fearless she was.

Sunday we moved the boat from Scarano Boat Builders to Shady Harbor Marina, a short 10 mile run. We decided, given her propensity to "explore," we'd setup a tether so we wouldn't worry about her while docking and undocking.

As we approached the marina, Mom, handling lines below, asked if Dad had tethered Dora. "She's sound asleep. She'll be fine", answered Dad. Little did we know...

The docking went smoothly with Dad loving his new bow thruster. We had four helpers on the dock. As Mom handed out the last line, she turned to say something to Dad and was struck speechless (a true rarity) as she saw Dora standing on Red Head's roof. She then said (calmly according to Mom, not so much according to Dad), "Dora's on the roof." Dad gave her a look of complete incomprehension saying, "What?" Dora stepped over the rim. Mom more urgently said, "She's on the roof of the boat. Get her down!"

If you haven't seen Red Head, some things may need to be made clear. Red Head's roof is 20 feet off the water.

The flat top is covered in nonskid with a rim that runs around this area.

After the rim is a slanting brow coated in slick paint. It is unlikely she could have kept her footing if she brought her back paws forward.

After Dad's successful rescue, we brought the crew inside and considered how to keep Dora to the lower decks. We then threw the doors open to catch the breeze.

Within moments Dora was on the focsle. So what, you may ask. The only way to get there is by climbing one of the two ladders.

Rather steep ladders.

Dad carried Dora down. She was right back up and down and up and so on. She manages to climb down about 3 steps and then does a sort of slide/jump to the lower deck. It has become a favorite place.

What's left for Mom's weak heart is the dinghy. Oh, heaven help us.

Dyna, Dora may not have your DNA but somehow she found your spirit. I hope you are proud.

Underway!

Red Head has finally thrown off the lines and headed out! Dora’s first official cruise. OK, so maybe it’s not a trip around the world - only 10 miles down river to Shady Harbor Marina. Still, we’re calling it.

Dylan and Dee Dee fell right into line as soon as they heard the engines start. Dora had to be coaxed up to the pilothouse with a treat. She’ll catch on. 

Dora found it a little hard to settle down. There’s just too darn much to see.

But she did eventually cuddle up with her fellow crew members.

Red Head starts her summer cruise with the help of Dylan, First Mate. 

Dee Dee, Second Mate. 

And the newest member, hoping to soon reach Provisional Third Mate, Dora.

  
Dora did great with just one little issue. She is fearless. Literally. That'll be a future blog entry. Mom has to calm down first...

Dora's First Voyage

Today we took Red Head out for a sea trial to check the new bow thruster, shaft changes, and other miscellaneous work. It was pretty exciting to be underway, even if it was just a short jaunt up and down the river. Things went very well with the most exciting part being:  it was Dora's first time underway on Red Head.

Dylan and Dee Dee showed her where to hunker down.

But it was hard to settle down with so many new things to see.

Mom and Dad were very pleased with Dora's performance with the exception of her displaying her baying skills when Mom was below handling lines and Dad was using the remote on the Portuguese  bridge.  She made up for it, though, by whining at the pilothouse stairs to go out and use the poop deck while underway. Now that's a good girl.

Dora did eventually settled down with the rest of the crew.

She even enjoyed chewing on one of her many toys.

Now that is one fine looking crew. We're looking forward to putting many more miles under the keel.

The Final Forever Home

The whole Red Head crew is excited to be back onboard. It may be a little dusty and disorganized but it's definitely home sweet home.

The kids have been making the best of it as Mom and Dad clean, uncover cushions, and try to put things to rights.

Dora has been turning to Dylan and Dee Dee when she feels uncertain and has been settling in nicely. As for the all important "poop deck", she followed the older crew's lead and used it within the first hour of being onboard. Since then, it has been a bit more hit and miss, with the hits increasing. Fortunately, Mom and Dad decided to leave the carpet coverings on for a while.

It's been many weeks of moving from place to place. Dora is probably wondering how long before we move to the next house. Little does she know that this is her final forever home.

Welcome to the Red Head crew, Dora.

Rainy Days

On rainy days the crew misses going to the dog park. They use the time to catch up on their naps. It could be Dylan nuzzling with Dora.

Or Dylan snuggled with Dee Dee.

Or the trifecta with all three cuddled together. Now that's some kinda sweet.

Good Morning!

Mornings are a special time with the Red Head crew. There's the morning walk and breakfast. That's often followed by a morning nap.

That is until Miss Dora decides she wants to play.

This morning she picked Miss Dee Dee as her partner.

It took a little convincing.

But Dee Dee came around...

Happy Birthday, Dee Dee!

Our little Miss Dee Dee is five years old today. She spent her day with Dylan and Dora. It was pretty much a typical day - morning walk, breakfast, dog park. But Dad made a stop on the way home from the dog park. After all, we needed to celebrate our little girl's special day. The crew couldn't wait to see what he got.

Frosty Paws! Happy Birthday, Dee Dee!

The crew wishes it was her birthday every day!

It's Been a Whirlwind

It has been a wild time since leaving Panama City Beach. Mom caught the flu from Grandma so we are a bit behind on the pics. There have been Dora firsts and, of course, more dog parks.

A dog park was found not too far from Grandma's house. On the first visit, they were the only ones there. They still managed to have a good time.

After that, we found lots of dog friends.

Dylan showed Dora how to chew a stick.

Dora proved to be a fast learner.

Dee Dee had so much fun she came home with grass stains.

Despite all the fun, the crew finally had to leave for Red Head. But not before we learned there would be a delay getting Red Head back in the water... sigh. Fortunately, we were able to snag another great Airbnb stay.

But first, a stop at another dog park along the way and...

...a night at the La Quinta.

Dora made her first visit to the boat. It's still in the shed and in quite a mess. She didn't seem very impressed but we'll give her some time.

Everyone is settled into what will be our new home for the next couple of weeks. It's pretty cold but this crew can adapt to just about anything.

Goodbye, Panama City Beach

 

Dylan and Dee Dee arrived in Panama City Beach a little over five months ago and discovered the dog park. 11:15 am quickly became an important time of the day.

The Red Head crew leaves PCB with an extra crew member. Now that's one heck of a souvenir.

The crew has finally departed Panama City Beach, on its way to Grandma’s house and then on to Red Head. It was a long 9+ hour drive not including stops. Probably the longest car ride Dora has ever had. No big deal for Dylan and Dee Dee though.

The backseat was a little tight but the crew settled in pretty well.

 A stop was made at a dog park about half way there.

The crew enjoyed romping with the other dogs. Mom and Dad enjoyed a quiet backseat for the remainder of the trip.

Of course, it couldn't compare with the PCB dog park. The crew said their final good-byes on Monday. It was a little sad for both dogs and people. Cindy is mom to the two German Shepherds.

Wendy tried to arrange a group picture. She's the Golden's mom.

And tried.

And, well, figured that's good enough. It's our time at the dog park that everyone will miss the most. Love you guys!

After an exhausting drive, the crew finally made it to Grandma's house. Dora is learning a whole new set of "No's" but, with the help of Dylan and Dee Dee, she is settling in pretty well. It should be an exciting week with lots of new adventures for the littlest crew member, culminating with Dora arriving at her forever home. Here's hoping she likes the water...