SailBlogs Member Group - Salty Dogs

Lorelei- Thanks for the great information. We haven't had any trouble clearing into The Dominican or The Bahamas. We are traveling further South this season and will be sure to relay anything we experience that might be helpful. Cheryl-Cloud Messenger

For those anticipating or planning extended cruising with their pets, make sure you have enough of their normal heartworm/flea preventive for the entire trip. Other recommendations are to have a good supply of their normal food, otic and optic ointments (infections), a good anti-fungal shampoo, spray and ointment (tropics are notorious for fungal infections!), broad spectrum antibiotics, and a good anti-diarrhea med. We have had 2 bouts of intestinal parasites (worming every 6 months now, regardless) and 2 bouts with fungal infections (skin). We brought 6 months worth of their normal food and have had to buy locally since. Most of the meds can be bought OTC in the Latin American countries - check with your vet about what to look for. Also make sure you have complete copies of your pet's medical records. The only countries we needed documentation to enter the dogs was the Bahamas (in advance), and Panama (had to pay $15 for a quarrantine certificate - no big deal). We've yet to travel to Belize, where I understand the regulations are a bit stricter. Any other experiences we haven't covered? I thought it would be more difficult than it has been so far...

Anyone have info on clearing into Belize with dogs?

Hi all - we're new on SailBlog. Gary and Patty are our human companions. Our names are Pearl and Bodee. Pearl is a mixed breed, 30 lb female, Bodee is a Boston Terrier, male. Both are neutered. Pearl is getting better with the rolling, Bodee only gets sick once in a while. So far, we've been through the Bahama chain, Turks & Caicos, Luperon, Bocas del Toro, Panama, Isla Providencia, Cayo Vivarillos, Roatan, and right now we're having fun in the Rio Dulce, Guatemala.

Max left us July 6th. Mercifully, it was quick and he was never in distress. Yesterday, we arrived in Fishing Bay, Deltaville, VA where we will stay for a month or so. Blackie and Red are having a ball and still keep us in stitches. We might cross tracks with you in Oriental this fall.

Ahhh Pete....so sorry to here of Max's health failing. I know what it is to lose an old dog. My sympathies. They never live long enough!

A bit of bad news here. Yesterday, Max, our 15 yr old schnauzer was diagnosed with a large tumor in his chest. It did not show in a previous xray just four months ago. He is not in distress but weakening quickly. He gave us 15 wonderful years so we can wait a few more weeks for him. For now, he is comfortably sleeping at the foot of our berth. Blackie and Red have settled in well to their new floating home. They are giving Max their own attention. Funny how pets know when others are not well.

Hey, according to your schedule you should be "off the dock" by now! I hope you are and all of you are having a blast!

Sorry to say we are not out there yet. Today is moving day. We will be on the boat by tonight or I'm sleeping on the floor! And we will be off the dock in a week. Blackie, Red & Max will be surprised tomorrow morning when they wake up and their back yard has changed considerably. Glad to hear Ali is shaping up as quality crew. Great picture of him on the dink. What is it with dogs and dinghies? Enjoy.

Hey Pete, Ali is quickly surpassing me in his ability to live the seagoing lifestyle! He loves to ride in the dinghy, as you knew he would! If it is tied to the boat he will jump right in. He NEVER stand watch though. he goes to bed about 8 and sleeps straight through until we make him get up or he thinks we are going somewhere without him. It is a pleasure to have him with us though. Very entertaining. He jumped right off the dinghy a few days ago to try and come snorkeling with us. David swam back a few strokes and snatched him out of the water before a very alert barracuda could get him. But that fish was ON it. Ready to eat poor Ali as a snack. I am amazed by how many people cruise with pets. Seriously at least a third of the people we have met have an animal on board. Where are you cruising right now?