Not Much...

Many of you are wondering what has been happening with the Red Head crew. Not much, really

The kids enjoyed their week at the farm. Dora even touched noses with a llama - of course, Mom didn't have her camera.

Red Head went back into the water last Friday - right on schedule - to the crew's joy and amazement.

A quick trip had the crew back at Shady Harbor Marina by Saturday. Since then it has been lots of bad weather - rain, winds, and general yuck - that has kept the crew mostly boat-bound.

 They've slept.

And they've played.

But the big news of the week is that Dora has gone into heat. She's handling it like a little trouper. Her dad is staying ever vigilant. Mom and Dad have been anticipating this. The plan is to have her spade in the fall and it is best that she go through one heat beforehand.

Sweet boy Dylan has been comforting her with his special cuddles.

As for Mom and Dad, they have been using the time to get some projects off the list. If the weather keeps up, they may actually finish the list. But only if Dad stopping adding to it...

Update 7/28: After some trial and error - dog diapers used on Dyna and Dee Dee were too large, Pampers size 4 was too small - Pampers size 6 appears to be just right. Hopefully, no more droopy drawers on little Dora. But even more hopefully (is that a thing?), she will be done soon.

Oh, the misery...

Red Head pulled into the well at Scarano on Sunday ensuring she would be hauled Monday morning. After a few snafus, she was blocked on the hard and being inspected. Some tapping, some scraping, and a hole the size of a dime was revealed. Today the repair begins.

Mom was tasked with managing the dogs. It was hot, really hot, and humid. She found an old picnic table in the shade of the building.

The crew made the best of it.

However, by noon it was in the full sun, so Mom decided to get the rental car and crank up the A/C. Much better.

Dylan, Dee Dee, and Dora finally made it to their new digs just in time for supper. It’s a studio apartment located on a farm. There are lamas...

and donkeys. And even some chickens.

The crew has a little fenced in yard where they are making their own private dog park. And when they become bored with each other, there’s plenty of other things to bark at.

Everyone is hoping for a quick repair but for now the crew is resting in the A/C while they wait for Dad to return from the boatyard.

It's deja vu all over again...

Red Head left Sag Harbor yesterday to head back to the Hudson River. There is some water coming in through the hull. Nothing serious - if you talk to Karen’s mom make sure not to use the word “sinking” - but it was decided it wouldn’t just heal itself and would probably get worse, so the crew is heading back to the boat yard.

This morning we made our way through New York Harbor. It was 8:00 am and rush hour was in full tilt. There was a strange roaring sound followed by a seaplane flying low overhead which landed in the harbor.  It was followed by a half dozen more.

Seems to be how some commute.

The crew is making the best of it. Dylan and Dee Dee helped Dad at the helm.

While Dora just took it all in.

We’re not complaining. It’s a beautiful trip up the Hudson River. Plus, the crew will get some more dog park time.  Hoping for a quick repair and then we’ll decide what our new plans will be.

First Swim

The firsts just keep on coming. Today Dora had her first actual swim at a beach near Sag Harbor. She finally went in after Dee Dee to get the bumper.

Swimming is an important acitivty for the Red Head crew.

And it looks like you'll be seeing many more dog swimming pics! Stay tuned.

A Big First

Red Head pulled into the anchorage at Northport yesterday. Mom and Dad took down the dinghy in preparation for a morning swim at the same beach Dylan and Dee Dee swam at last summer. We're pretty sure dogs aren't allowed on the beach but at 5:30 am no one seems to mind.

Dylan and Dee Dee understood right away what was happening when Mom put on their dinghy harnesses and Dad fired up the dinghy.  The dinghy was beached and Dylan and Dee Dee were launched. Dora wouldn't follow. She stood on the pontoon crying after them until Mom carried her to the beach. Fortunately, she'll still small enough to carry...

Dora was fascinated as she watched Dylan and Dee Dee retrieve the bumper.

She was willing to wade far in but not to swim. Although, it did looked like she went buoyant a time or two, for a second.

All three crew members had a great time. Dora loved the water. If she decides to swim in the future, that's great. If not, she'll still enjoy romping with her two buddies on the beach.

Life is Hard...

Sigh...

Cuddles

The crew of Red Head may never win any obedience awards. They've never rescued a child from a well or won at Westminster. But there is one area where all of the crew, past and present, are number one - cuddling.

Dyna cuddled Dylan when he was a puppy.

Dylan cuddled Dyna into her old age.

Dee Dee learn to cuddle Dylan when she was just a tiny puppy.

Both continue to find comfort in a good cuddle. As for the newest crew member...

Dora made sure she was in on the cuddles right from day one.

Of course, Dora puts her own spin it.

Following are some of Mom's favorite cuddle pics from the Red Head crew.

After all, a crew that cuddles together, stays together...

Dog Toys

Every night before the crew goes to bed, the salon floor is cleared so that the Roomba can do its magic and remove the dog hair from the rug.

By mid-morning, the floor looks like this...

The Dinghy

This has been a week of firsts for Dora. She had her first sweet potato treat. A favorite for Dylan and Dee Dee, who gobble them up. Dora, as is her way, had to explore this new item. She couldn't delay too long as Dylan was happy to show her how it is done. All he needed was one second...

You might be wondering why Mom was doling out some special treats.

This week we introduced Dora to the dinghy. We decided to take it slow and let her proceed at her own pace.

She took her time assessing the situation.

And eventually took the leap.

Mom got a little nervous when Dora placed her back paw on the pontoon. Dad assured her Dora wouldn't go any further.

Really!?!?!?

Once Dora was somewhat settled, we added Dylan to the mix. He's such an old pro.

And finally Dee Dee, too. Notice how Dylan is still the good one.

Mom and Dad decided to keep the day low-key. Dora went in and out of the dinghy several times while the dinghy was tied to Red Head. Mom then rewarded the whole crew with sweet potato treats.

Dora did terrific. It was a big day for the little crew member and she was happy to cuddle with Dylan when it was over.

A couple of days later, we had the perfect calm day for Dora's first real dinghy ride. She loved it.

There are lots more firsts coming for Dora. Tomorrow we throw off the lines for her first full day of cruising, 79 miles followed by a night at anchor. She is well on her way to becoming a full-fledged crew member. Mom and Dad are proud of the little girl.