Sweet Dylan

Dee Dee and Dora seem to dominate the kids’ blog. It’s always the bad child who gets the limelight.

Dylan is the good child and loves his beach time too.

Of course, being the senior member of the crew, he likes a good nap afterwards. What a good boy!

One Year

One year ago Dylan and Dee Dee set out on their 6:30 am walk around the neighborhood in Panama City Beach. They started their walk as a crew of two but finished it as a crew of three. That morning Dora came into our lives. Nothing has been the same...

We love you girl!

Anticipation

Dee Dee waiting for the bumper toss.

Visitors

Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora had some visitors. What appeared to be a momma and a baby manatee hung out in the harbor for quite a while.

The crew was fascinated.

Jumpin’

Dylan and Dee Dee’s best buddy, Gracie, is the world champion when it comes to jumping the waves. The Red Head crew sure misses you sweet girl!

It’s not surprising Labs learn to handle the water and waves. Water is bred into their veins. Dee Dee loves jumping the waves.

So does Dylan. 

Dora has taken a little time but she is also learning to handle herself in the sea. Who knows maybe there’s a bit of Lab in those veins. Or maybe she just has some great teachers. 

Tethered

For those who have followed the blog for some time, you might remember that Dee Dee, in her youth, had to be tethered at the beach. She seemed to think she could swim to Portugal.

Dora is following in Dee Dee’s footsteps but she has decided maybe she can run down the beach to Portugal. Dad has decided to tether her instead.

It’s not slowing her down a bit.

She’s even taking a lesson from Dee Dee on handling waves. Air Dora?

Wait for Me

Barriers

Ever since Dora’s first docking adventure Red Head has been outfitted with an increasing array of barries. She’s been nicknamed Houdini as she finds new ways to get where she wants to go.

Her dad created a platform to assist getting the dogs from the boat to the fixed dock at various tides here in the Bahamas. Incorporated is a barrier to keep them from attempting a getaway - actually, to keep Dora from escaping.

A 100+ foot yacht pulled in beside Red Head this weekend. There were several young crewmembers who spoiled the Red Head crew. They were preparing to leave just as the crew returned from the beach. As Dee Dee was being rinsed, there was a commotion on the dock. Dora had escaped and was running around on the yacht. As no one saw the actual escape, we assume Dora crawled under the ramp and unto the dock.

So now there is a new barrier...

A Change

This morning Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora did something a little bit different. They hung a right out of the marina and went to Bardot Beach. It’s a small rocky beach a bit closer to the marina. It is also on the leeward side of the island so the waves were quite small. Dora even ventured further in and swam once or twice.

Of course, Dora also went on a little adventure up the cliffs. Maybe she is named after Dora the Explorer. (Sorry about the poor pic. Had to take it from the bright beach, looking into the shadows of the cliffs.)

Dylan was happy to settle in with a coconut. Where will the crew head to tomorrow morning? You’ll just have to wait and see.

Is That Fair?

Dee Dee is the one who does the heavy lifting every morning at the beach here in Great Harbour Cay.  She braves the waves to retrieve the bumper.

Dylan and Dora wait to ambush Dee Dee when she gets back to shore.

There’s a little tussle which usually ends with Dora getting the bumper. Dee Dee is tired, after all, from her swim. Unfair, you might say. Not really, Dee Dee just loves to be out there swimming!

She’s Still Got It

It may have been 3 years since Dee Dee played in the Bahamas waves, but she’s still got what it takes.

Learn From the Master

Dylan found his first coconut of the Twelve Sandy Paws cruise on the beach this morning. When it comes to shucking a coconut, Dylan is the master.

Dora decided to take a lesson.

There’ll be plenty more to come.

It’s Written in Stone

Now that Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora have made their second morning trip to the beach, there is no turning back. It is now an imperative - mornings are beach time.

Dee Dee is the brave one that fearlessly battles the waves to retrieve the bumper. Dylan follows to lend moral support and maybe grab it from her.

Dora waits at the water’s edge to steal the prize and hopefully get someone to chase her down the beach. Good times!

Twelve Sandy Paws

Today is Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora’s first full day at Great Harbour Cay. That means... beach time! The crew was out at 9:00 am and on their way to the beach. Dora is still just a wader but Dylan and Dee Dee swam until they were about to drop. The Red Head crew is sure gonna like it here....

Red Head has Landed

Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora arrived at Great Harbour Cay Marina this morning after a trip across the Bahama Bank yesterday and a night at anchor outside the harbor.

It’s been 3 years since Dylan and Dee Dee were here. Of course, it’s Dora’s first time.

She’s pretty excited. Follow the Red Head crew on their latest adventure, Twelve Sandy Paws.

Next Stop...

The Bahamas!

And Away We Go!

Yesterday was the kids’ final trip to the dog park at Stock Island Marina Village.

Today the Red Head crew left Key West to anchor at Rodriguez Key.

Tomorrow we take off for the Bahamas. Stay tuned for Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora’s next big adventure - Twelve Sandy Paws.

Will the spoiling never end?

Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora hope not. Kristen and Wayne paid the crew a visit last weekend.

Of course, Mom and Dad loved spending time with them but really it was all about spoiling the kids.

And they did a terrific job! We all miss you guys and hope to see you soon.

Curiosity

Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora often watch out the window to keep tabs on the happenings on the dock. Today Dora took it a step further by climbing up on the back of the settee.

Dora just wanted to get a better look. She really doesn’t understand why Mom doesn’t want her there...

Making Friends

Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora had a friend come calling this week.

Dylan and Dee Dee immediately recognized their buddy. After all, Dylan was once known as the manatee whisperer.

Dora quickly followed their lead and said hello, too.

Going on a Toot!

The best part of getting the dinghy ready for the Bahamas is Dad putting it in the water and taking the kids on a toot!

Brrrrrrrr

This morning’s headline:  “75% of the US population will suffer below-freezing temps this week”

The Red Head crew wants you to know it’s been freezing here as well, by Key West standards anyway. Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora woke to 56 degrees this morning. Not too bad for the two Maine born, thick-furred Labs but pretty darn cold for a thin-furred Coonhound from Florida. 

Hoping everyone is staying safe and warm. 

Where’d they go?

It’s been nearly a month since the Red Head crew has had a blog entry. It hasn’t been laziness - this hardworking crew is always busy. Just checkout this schedule:

6:30 am: Wake Mom and Dad so they can feed us.
Rest of morning: Chew toys, fight with siblings, and ensure we are not attacked by pirates.
Lunch: Beg for food from dad’s plate.
Early afternoon: Rest up from frantic morning.
3:00 pm: Go to dog park.
4:30: Kid’s dinner.
Evening: Hope for more food from dad’s dinner and wait for final bedtime treat.
Repeat.

The problem has been Mom. She’s really been loafing on the job. Before New Years she flew off for five days to help celebrate Grandma’s 90th birthday at a big bash. That’s only about 13 in dog years, not really all that impressive. The kids had to count on Dad to take care of them - it was a little scary but they made it.

Then Cousin Leslie and her husband, Chris, came to spend a few days with the crew after their camping trip to a Dry Tortugas. Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora want to point out that they were perfectly behaved at all times.

Well, mostly...

After a few days sick in bed with a cold, Mom is finally back with the program. The crew has even seen her placing some pretty big orders on Chewy. Bahamas here we come!

Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora hope you are having a great 2019!