People see me with my short hair and petite frame and think that I must stay very comfortable being a boat dog, but that is absolutely not the case! I’m so hot. All. The. Time. Which is why I convinced my parents that I needed a splash pool to be installed onboard so I can cool off.
Finding the perfect pool
It’s really necessary to consider your size and the size of your boat when selecting the type and size of pool to install. In my case, I’m quite small and my boat is “adequate” size so it wasn’t too difficult. I sent the parents to Walmart to pick me one up – reminding them that I want a splash pool, not a swimming pool. I’m not a swimmer. Fortunately, they were successful at their task, coming back with an inflatable (space saving and portable!) pool that holds up to 5 inches of water. It’s perfect.
It even has cute little fish and whales on the side so that when I’m resting I can dream that I’m actually under the sea looking at all those funny creatures.
Installing your pool on deck
It’s also important to consider several factors when it comes to installing your pool. Where will it be in the most shade the most amount of time? No one wants warm water and sunlight overhead when trying to cool down in their splash pool. Where will your humans be most of the time? Are you okay relaxing in the splash pool while they’re out of sight? If so, I highly recommend making sure you’re at least near the dinghy so they can’t sneak off the boat without you!
I decided to put my pool in the cockpit which has a hard top to provide shade cover and has views of the inside salon, the dinghy, and the helm. This allows me to always remain in the center of the action and not potentially miss out on something my humans are doing.
Even better is that my pool is portable. So if the humans are hanging out up front on the trampoline and I want to join but am too hot, I simply make them move my pool up there temporarily. It’s really a win-win!
Filling your pool
If you’re a boat dog, then you’re surrounded by salt water all day. It’s gritty – the salt messes up your soft fur and causes your eyes to burn. You do not want salt water in your splash pool. I repeat – no salt water. Yes, I know that as boaters we have to constantly worry about having enough fresh water and not using it up too quickly, but I’m worth it. My splash pool only gets filled with fresh water.
Pro tip – rainwater is fresh water. When it rains, I direct my humans move my pool out to a more open area that is exposed to the rain and runoff from the hardtop cover. This way my pool can fill up with only a short rain storm and no need to hear my parents complain about being low on fresh water!
Using your pool
Just lay down – that’s it! Oh, and drink lots of the water. That’s the best part, really. It’s not just a splash pool but a giant water bowl, so now I never run out of drinking water!
Stayed tuned until next Monday to hear more about my adventures as a boat dog!
1 comment
Monster – you look very comfortable and “cool”. I would not expect you to ever settle for less than “cool, fresh” water. No “salt water’ for my favorite “grand dog”!! Miss you tons.