For us, it’s the only way to sail, but it takes extra work on your part, aside from the additional paperwork and cost. So, how do you manage life onboard?

Izzy (Jack Russell Terrier) has lived aboard with us for four 1/2 years since she was 6 months old. Izzy is only 9lbs, so she is easy to care for. We have crossed oceans and coastal cruised in that time. So, let’s talk about some things we learned along the way.

The more time on shore, the better for everyone aboard. We run/walk almost daily, and Izzy rides in her rover (stroller) because the asphalt can be hot, and we try to run three miles daily. That is a lot for her short legs. If we can’t run, we swim. Yep, Izzy can also. We put on her life jacket, and in we go. We use that time in the water to remind Izzy how to climb the ladder. Safety first! Climbing up the ladder was the very first thing we taught her. Swim around and then point her toward the ladder, and up she went. She is a smart girl. 

Going ashore with a pup isn’t too complicated. Returning to the boat can be a bit of work depending on the on-shore adventure, beach, or just land. On the beach trips, we make her swim out to the dink to clean most of the sand, then give a couple dunks and rinses. It’s just a freshwater rinse with the hose on the sugar scoop, so she isn’t itchy or stinky. Then we do a quick drying of the Izzy. Yes, it’s a game. If you see us running around the boat, it’s the dry the Izzy game. If it’s a land walk-a-bout, then once on board, we put a dab of soap on her paws and scrub them clean. All that is to help keep sand and salt at bay because she does sleep with us. 

Going ashore without Izzy. We leave hatches cracked and the door propped open to allow the breeze to flow through. We put sticks in the door so that she can’t open it. Now, don’t tell anyone that we leave the boat unlocked.

Going ashore with Izzy. Izzy likes to run off-leash when she can. We let her trail her leash for easy retrieval. The most amazing place to let her run is on a sand bar, which is our favorite. Uninhabited islands are Izzy’s fav. There is so much for her to sniff. We are always on watch for the local pups; when we see them, we watch their body language. If we don’t like what we see, up she goes into our arms. 

Food. We started with a lot of dehydrated food for her and are down to the last couple of weeks’ worth. I bought a bag of kibble, to begin with. You can find kibble everywhere, but we are particular about what we feed. If you ask Izzy, she will say ah, Mom, have chicken for me every night. I am toying with making her food. What are your favorite recipes?

 Ocean crossings. We all get a little stir-crazy. We use kongs (plastic toys that you can put treats in) to give her. Peanut butter jars are great for her to clean up; just ask her. Watch them because they can get their head stuck! Hide and seek with treats works well also. We don’t give her the run of the boat while underway. She is either attached to us or inside. 

Equipment. Leashes and harnesses: we always use a harness. We have a waterproof collar and harness with a leash. This makes our lives easier to grab and go when we leave the boat. No wet and stinky equipment. 

Vet and meds. We subscribe to homeagain.com, which gives us a 24/7 medical hotline. We use local vets wherever we are and do essential grooming onboard. We buy heartworm pills with flea and tick preventative a year at a time. There is no room on board for those pesky critters. We also have a first aid kit for Izzy, just like for us. Pills for whatever would come up also.

Potty time. We have a plastic storage box with a fake grass mat that Izzy uses underway. We hook a leash onto the door handle so that she can only stay in the cock pit. If the weather isn’t good, we put the potty box inside for her. It did take some patience to teach her to use it. At anchor, she potties on the trampoline, and right through it goes. She can walk on the netting without her toes falling through. We visited a pup on another boat, and she taught Izzy how to potty on the net. Just watching and sniffing the trampoline was all it took. We came home, and Izzy went up and pottied on our trampoline. Thank you, Sadie! 

At anchor. Izzy has the run of the boat. We put netting around the boat to help keep her from falling in. Sometimes, we have to block the sugar scoops because she likes to go down and bark at the fish. She will also say hello to everyone who comes anywhere near us. The Izzy goes down when the sun goes down, so don’t worry about anchoring next to us.  

For Ford and I, having Izzy on our journey with us is the only way we would have it. Izzy brings us joy and laughter, and she keeps us moving. It does take some work to sweep and vacuum her little white hair. You would think they would blow out the hatch, but only essential things do that.