The only thing dog owners love more than their pets is showing them off to other people. Pet parents, you know who you are. I have friends who spent more time trying to decide on what to name their new pup than they did selecting their own children’s names.
If you own a dog, chances are you’re a pet-friendly kind of person. You probably go out of your way to strike up a conversation with a fellow dog owner, especially if it’s the same breed. It’s similar to how parents of twin children get annoyed when a stranger asks them a question in the grocery store, but if that stranger leads with, “I have twins too,” then suddenly they’re best friends and swap’n stories. It’s like their entire demeanor changes and they perk right up. Pet owners with similar breeds love to share stories, and often they instantly bond, even if all they have in common is their dogs.
Dog owners typically love all dogs. The next question to ask is about your pontoon or deck boat. Is it pet-friendly? Engineers are now designing interiors with our four-legged friends in mind, so pet amenities are becoming standard on a lot of boats. Plus, aftermarket companies such as Boat Outfitters, a division of Teak Isle, offer unique storage options to make it easier to cater to the on board needs of your pets.
If you think your new boat doesn’t have any pet features, you might try taking a closer look. Some features are so well disguised that you might not realize they were designed for dogs. Sure, if your boat has built-in dog dishes, that’s a clear giveaway. I’m referring to bow and side gates that are now clear or see-through. It’s a hot trend in our industry right now that many boat builders are picking up on. True, these new gates make it easier for you to see the dock when approaching the marina, but your dog will love being able to see out. The LilliPad Marine boarding ladder is another hidden gem for pets. You can appreciate the wide steps and friendly angle as you climb aboard and your dog will, too.
Some people think you can only get a breed of dog that is more suitable for water if you want a true boating companion, but I’ve seen plenty of examples that disprove this theory. Sure, a dog might not love swimming, but if you start them out early by going on boat rides, they’ll love the routine and learn to love going out on your adventures.
But what about non-dog owners? Does this make them all haters? Of course not. I firmly believe that even if you don’t personally own a dog, you can still be considered a pet-friendly person. Maybe your current housing situation doesn’t allow you to have a dog. Maybe you have a spouse who is deathly afraid of all animals and would tie you to a tree if you came home with a dog. Or, I’d say the worst scenario is someone who lost a pet at some point in their life and isn’t quite ready to love again. Clearly, there is some heartache there and I get it.
Sure, not everyone is going to love dogs, but that’s okay. In our cover feature this month, Wendy Funk’s love of dogs is clearly highlighted. As a dog foster parent she estimates she has at least five or six dogs at any given time and although she doesn’t want to admit she has a favorite, her Stingray deck boat was named in honor of her 6-year-old, Nash. You’re supposed to name your boat after something you love, right?
If you consider yourself to not be a pet-friendly boater, maybe you should consider adopting a dog this summer and see if it changes your mind.
Pontoon & Deck Boat Editor
