aVida

Josito - Our Marina's Resident Dog

30 September 2013
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2013 09 30 Josito - Our Marina's Resident Dog

I've befriended the resident Bocas (Panama) Marina dog.

Josito is old and tired but very spunky especially when it's feeding time. He's been living at the Marina for more than ten years, and literally protects the area from intruders or other unfriendly dogs. He dips in the sea about five times a day to cool off from the sweltering heat. The owner's wife recently groomed him best she could to rid him of his mangy matted hairs. Everybody loves him and pets him when he passes by, and he certainly has me trained.

Two to three times a day he stands on the dock by our stern and barks "woof, woof, woof". Awaiting my appearance then he politely sits with his arms folded knowing that soon he will receive fresh scrambled eggs, ground beef, chopped filet, or any leftover meat I had the night before. I gladly present him with his meal after having my chance to pet him and give him some love. It must be diced as he has lost so many teeth. Mark comments that he's fortunate to get leftover meals from Josito's dishes I whip up. His daily rewards he receives from me makes him happy, and me as well. More civilized than many people we know.

So, what does this have to do with the sailing life we have made?

When we departed from Chile the fall of 2009, the boat builder/owner Alex Whopper tried to comfort me as he knew I was anxious about voyaging. He said he wished he could erase all my fears away and that we will come to know what this life is really all about. Despite the fears, challenging weather, all the boat fixes, fear of pirates, etc.; if we can look back at the end of the day and be grateful for at least one reward received or one accomplishment made then we have really achieved something good to be proud of. So, at the end of the day, I look back at one reward received or accomplishment met whether it be safely reaching our next harbor, meeting another friendly new sailor, a nice clean boat, creating a new baby blanket or craft project, finding a new marketing idea for AVID, finishing another James Patterson novel, finding an uninhabited scenic cove to anchor off, sitting down to a home cooked crockpot meal, or just greeting Josito for his feeding time with his lips smacking and tail wagging.

That's what it's all about, and that's why we now live on a boat and have grown to love it. It's nice to have long range goals but most times it is nice to just savor the daily pleasures we encounter or concoct. I say those moments are special because those are all we have right at this moment, right now. It's inspiring to know that we have no deadlines and to know that at the end of the day we have discovered or achieved something beautiful.

That is it, and it is worth it.

Thank you, Josito, for being there yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I look forward to your (I mean "our") next feeding time.

Vessel Name: aVida
Vessel Make/Model: Atlantic 57
Hailing Port: Akron, Ohio
Crew: Mark Sinreich, Rita Leone
Extra: text...
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