And some say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Au
contraire. I am living proof that a truly spectacular canine (me) can learn
anything at any age. After a lifetime of rule on dry land, I have now become a
Salty Dog, Captain of My Own Destiny, First Mate Extraordinaire, and Most Popular
Marina Mascot.
To be expected of course, I have adjusted beautifully to my
new career as boat dog. I quickly mastered walking the gangplank, and while the
companionway steps were a little more challenging, I convinced Todd to add some
nonslip treads and now I can navigate from cockpit to salon with barely a slip
and slide. And seasickness? HA – me of the iron stomach? Ain’t never gonna be a
problem!
Some of my favorite things about my new home? Well for
starters, when you live on a boat you quickly get to know all of your
neighbors, who can’t resist stopping to pet me, compliment my adorableness, and
generally provide me with well-deserved spoiledness. Why just this morning Mike
at the shipstore gave me a huge dog biscuit, I got to enjoy a complimentary
Saturday morning donut, a sailor across the way asked to take my picture, and
the lovely lady on the boat next door brought me a doggie treat specially
purchased from Three Dog Bakery just for me. And all before lunchtime! I can’t
wait to see what the afternoon brings. It is so gratifying when humans easily
recognize and reward my specialness - makes a gal humble (well, not really, but
I try).
I also love going to the Marina restaurant’s outdoor bar for
happy hour and sunset watching. The bartender provides me an unending supply of ice in my water bowl, everyone stops to admire me, and as a member of the restaurant’s email
list I get free coupons for the Cabo Bites fish appetizer, which is simply delish.
Honestly, the only thing I haven’t quite mastered is the
peeing and pooping thing on AstroTurf. Todd bought some, I sniffed, laid down
on it, then got up and watched it promptly blow right off the deck (of course,
I was falsely accused of giving it a slight nudge). Anyway, I overheard Todd
telling Tanya that he has an entire roll packed away in the storage unit, so I suppose
this is a skill I am going to have to attain at some point unless I want to
bust a bladder.
Now, if I could just convince Tanya to let me assume the
role of Galley Wench, with its accompanying access to all things edible, I
would consider my transition successfully complete.
My future is definitely so
bright I gotta wear shades!
