We have to Get a Bigger Boat

by Kitty A Smith
(WPB, FL)

Riding the Bow

We have four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Now to tell you the truth, I think that is just cause to say I am very spoiled. But my friends say it is definitely the other way around.

Our lives revolve around our dogs, we take them almost everywhere we go. If an activity does not allow dogs, or will take us away from them for more than a couple of hours, we just don't do it.

Since we live in south Florida, the beach is a big part of our lives. When we had two dogs, we would take them out in our banged up old Jon boat we call the Black Pearl. The two would stand up in the front watching the water flow by. They got to know that we were taking the boat out when they saw the car backing into the yard and would start "singing" at the top of their lungs.

Well, time passed and we added two more two the family and the Black Pearl felt crowded. We knew it was time to get a new boat when our oldest boy, Shadow would go to other boats at the sand bar. Checking them out, standing on his back legs as if to say, "I like your boat, can I ride with you?"

So we bought them (the 4 spoiled dogs!) a Chaparalle 20 foot bow rider.

All four of them get up in the bow with the wind in their faces blowing their ears, watching the water and birds go by, singing at the top of their lungs as we pull up to the sandbar where they will run and chase bubbles for the afternoon.