It’s Woozle Wednesday, and the dogs and all their critter friends are here to welcome you to our furry corner of DKOS.
Many woozles love a day on the water. In fact, some breeds were made for it! And not just the water-loving Golden Retrievers or the Labradors. Today, the woozles and their friends celebrate National Maritime Day. Per Wiki, it was created to recognize the maritime industry. Why May 22nd? On this day in 1819, the American steamship Savannah set sail from her home port in Georgia on the first ever transoceanic voyage under steam power. In 1933, Congress commemorated the event and set aside the anniversary as a tribute to the men and women who work in the maritime trades.
Cats, dogs, and birds were the most popular maritime pets or mascots. Cats, of course, were a practical choice (well, pooties could have told us that themselves). They were companionable but relatively independent, and most importantly they controlled the mice and rat population onboard ships and around the docks and river channels.
Most of us know the story of water rescue dogs — usually those large water-loving breeds like Newfoundlands who could be sent into the rough surf to save people from drowning. They could also be trained to dive off a boat and bring a life preserver to a man overboard. Herding dogs were employed to keep the children of lighthouse keepers rounded up and safe from rocks.
Dogs had other interesting jobs on the water. Small terriers, like cats, could keep down the rat population. Canal dogs provided security to barges on lonely rural canals in eras when highwaymen roamed. But by far the most common job of a ship-board dog was as the ship’s mascot and companion. And that is still true today.
But unless you look forward to a little time in the brig, before we set sail we must review the Peeps Rulz as requested by the Management:
- Do not “Troll” the Pootie Peeps Diaries. If you don’t like animal diaries, there’s no need to tell us about it. Just go find some other diary more to your liking.
- Whatever happens in the outer blog STAYS in the outer blog. This is a place to relax and play; please treat it accordingly. So, no pie fights please.
- If you would like a pic from the comment threads, please ask the poster. He/she may have a copyright to those pics. Many thanks!
- There are some pics we never post: 1) snakes and creepy crawlies (some folks have phobias). 2) Any and all photos that depict or encourage human cruelty toward animals, even in jest, are considered “out of bounds” and will not be tolerated.
- If you’re not sure about an issue...please ask. Someone is always glad to help.
- Links to the Community Needs List or other fundraising diaries are always welcome here. Just links with a short explanation, please, and not the entire fundraising request, per the management.
PWB Peeps posts two diaries a day for animal lovers: a daytime diary at 1:45 pm Eastern and a nightly open thread at 10 pm Eastern. We concoct silly stories, share photos, seek & give advice about pet health and behavior issues, support each other in times of sadness and stress, celebrate together when times are good, and on most days have an inordinate amount of fun.
You are welcome to join us below the fold! Make sure you have on your personal flotation device, because things could become a little rambunctious. And, as always be kind to one another, we’re all in this this together.
On The High Seas
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Tugboats in the Harbor
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The Canal Barge Crew
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Lakes & Lighthouses
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Leisure Boating