Date: 27 February 2023. Brokenhearted on 27 February 2023.
© janice142
Though this is dated 27 February, I am actually posting this tribute in April.
Similarly, the
Hurricane Irma Saga (parts 1-4)
summary article was dated 11 September because that is the date the
hurricane hit here. Unfortunately I have bad news regarding my
First Mate extraordinaire.
I have been
truly blessed to share my home and heart with the sweetest 5-pound
pup on the planet.

In this picture Skipper is looking into the galley of
S/V Anja. It was taken back in 2014.
You met that boat in the
(Joshua Slocum's) Spray replica Anja
article.
Skipper made friends everywhere. One of her first conquests was Ken.

It was cold the winter of
2012, and her friend Ken on Sparrow would snuggle Skipper in his
sweatshirt.
Skipper had a great time on my swim
platform back in 2013.

You can tell she's young due to the black around her
eye patch.
Skipper used the swim
platform as her "outside" for many years. Due to the attached leash I can surmise
that we are at anchor and/or the current is kicking. I also utilized
the leash when there were eagles present. I worry about birds of
prey as Skipper is small and essentially defenseless. The little one
depended upon me to keep her safe.
Eventually I began buying the people
pads for under patients in a hospital for Skipper. She was getting
older, and having a place where she could go quickly became more
important in her last year. I wanted her to be a good girl, and the
puppy pads allowed exactly that. I found the smaller adult pads less
costly than the made-for-dogs version.
Skipper was a real pirate at Halloween in 2013 while we were
in Carrabelle, FL at
C-Quarters Marina.

Skipper made
friends near and far. She even received a post card in 2021 from a handsome pup
named Vos.

Skipper loved being underway. Her preference was to be on the side
deck right beside me, circumstances permitting.
Circumstances include calm waters, zero boat traffic/no wakes, and
an easy stretch of waterway. Some channels are tricky.

I rigged a special
attachment point to the inside the doorway so Skipper was safely
secured to Seaweed and could not slip off the side deck.
She wore her life jacket too. Her floatation
device was made by Outward Hound. Finding a life preserver that fits
a 5 pound pup is not easy.
Skipper spent most of her life inside next to me at the dinette.

Over the past year or two she slept more. You'll note
her leg reaching out to touch me. That was common.
I worried about her staying well
hydrated. To facilitate that she had a nifty antique dish
for water accessible from our bunk.

Drinking water is important so I found a small dish
for my Skip. She enjoyed having a bit of water each night when she
hopped into our bunk.
|
Skipper
was not supposed to beg... however she did so whenever she
found a soft touch. |
|
 |
←Skipper is not
allowed
to beg. To the left she is practicing looking innocent after I
said her name.
The act is over... time
to pour on the charm towards Mr. Snack.
 |
|
Though just five pounds
Skipper had the ability to lean in on those five pounds,
especially if there was chicken involved. She loved chicken.
|
|
Skipper in the last year or
two really slowed down. Her hearing was going, and she didn't always
seem to see well.

Our veterinarian, Dr. Peridos said Skipper could see. Her vet is
great. I took her to Sun-Surf Animal Hospital in Indian Rocks, FL.
Skip spent a
lot of time resting. She was always happiest right next to me.

When she wanted an outing however Skipper could be
quite insistent.

Visiting the neighbors was nice. I would tuck her
into my purse and off we would go.
You know, it is
odd... Skipper spent a great deal of time riding in my purse
especially these past couple of years. I have looked and have
zero pictures of her doing that. I wish I did though.
My purse was specially chosen as
she could either stand or sit down and see out. Her tiny legs meant
a great many purses would have her completely at the bottom unable
to see what was happening. She was inquisitive, quiet and many said
just like me. I was so fortunate to have shared my life with her.
Skipper slept quite a bit lately... or just dozed off.

My sweet
Skipper went to heaven on 27 February, leaving me devastated. She
fell asleep in my arms and did
not wake up. I am entirely grateful
for the many years we shared aboard Seaweed. Skipper was a great boat
dog...
Skipper did have a wonderful send
off. We were together, snuggled up in our bunk. There is something
rather wonderful about that. I hope everyone has the opportunity to
be with the person they love most like my pup. Gosh I miss her
terribly.
Thank you
for sticking with me while I struggle. Skipper was special. There is
hole in my heart.
This is one
of my favorite pictures of Skipper from back in 2014.

Love the ones
you can, and contact folks who are dear to your heart.
Thank you for being a part of my world. Thanks too
for reading.
How was your March? Did you do anything special during
March?
And, what was your favorite ever pet?
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