Dog overboard!" I heard the dreadful splash just seconds after our small dog slipped from the boat into the ocean below. Glancing over the side, I saw our tiny pug furiously doggie-paddling in the dark, cold sea. Kiang was struggling to reach the pier, but the frigid Pacific waters were quickly slowing him down and, despite the warm sun overhead, he was already shivering. Suddenly, a large green fishing net surged through the water, scooping the tired pup from the sea in a frenzy of splashing and kicking.   

Luckily we were still docked, and the sea was not quite as frigid on this sunny day.  Had it been winter, or in the open ocean, our pug may not have fared as well. When we first thought about taking our pets along for a summer of cruising the Pacific Northwest, it was with little trepidation.  We dreamt of watching our dogs chase seagulls through the early morning surf and seeing our favorite feline vigilantly standing guard on the bow, surveying the whales that surfaced near our yacht at sunset. It didn't take long to understand that the reality of cruising with pets is much different than these sweet daydreams; but with preparation, planning and a lot of patience, we were able to make the dream a reality