Sailing with a purpose

the Dogs Who Sail Facebook group

One morning a few months ago, a woman ran up and tapped me on the shoulder. “Are you the Dogs Who Sail lady?” she asked.

I had to stop and think for a moment as I’m so used to hiding behind my laptop, preferring the dogs to take centre stage. “Yes. Yes, I guess I am the Dogs Who Sail lady.”

This cheerful woman told me how much she values Dogs Who Sail. Every morning she gets up, makes herself a cup of coffee, and goes straight to the Dogs Who Sail Facebook group where she starts her day with a smile, feeling uplifted by the photos and stories of our global community of sailing dogs. This is the essence of Dogs Who Sail.

I created Dogs Who Sail when we were in the early years of sailing with our two Cocker

Spaniels, Maxy and Mel, aboard our first sailboat, a South Australian built 34-foot Duncanson called Crossroads. When we decided to become liveaboards we upgraded to a 50-foot vessel. The dogs needed a bigger space you see. We joke, and sometimes choke, that we have the most luxurious doghouse on the water.

Since I was little I have been fascinated by dogs; their personalities and antics make me smile, their loyalty and empathy warm my heart, and their companionship and cuddles teach me about openhearted love. My dogs are my family and they mean the world to me.

New to boating with dogs, I wanted to ensure Maxy and Mel were safe and comfortable on board. I hadn’t met many dog owners at the time and there was no online community devoted to sailing with dogs, so I decided to start one.

Maxy and Mel adapted exceptionally well to boating life despite being older dogs who loved the luxury of a house and big backyard they could explore at their leisure. I was proud of them and wanted to share our fun times and experiences with others who were considering having a dog on board, as well as to acknowledge that it’s not always smooth sailing. There are definitely challenges with a dog on a boat.

Our online community started on New Year’s Day 2016. Every day since we have had a new member join us who is sailing with their dog or considering sailing with a dog somewhere in the vast world.

We have almost 1,300* members globally and I believe a remarkable story accompanies each of these salty sea dogs’ adventures aboard. Dogs Who Sail was created first and foremost to celebrate boating dogs and for their humans to share information and experiences to help other dog owners make more informed choices.

Every day I am touched by the pure love our members have for their furry crew, and the owners’ devotion to ensuring their dogs have a wonderful life on the boat. I am also touched by the love for each other’s dogs and circumstances as well. Dogs Who Sail has become a space of love and support, with a depth of kindness that our pets seem to bring out in the humankind.

Some stories that come to mind are of puppies who were born aboard, and new puppies starting their life on their boat. We get to watch them grow, they are extended family. We have a few service and support dogs who open the world for their human friends, emotionally and physically. We celebrate the life of rescue dogs who were destined for a death sentence and dogs who have been abused and traumatised but find a loving soul who takes them on an adventure at sea.

There are dogs who go out on their boats for the weekend and there are others who have circumnavigated the world. I am always touched by the strength of our Dogs Who Sail community.

* 1875 members as of July 2020

Reproduced with permission from SisterShip Magazine August 2019 www.dogswhosail.com