The Sailboat
Dear Frankie,
My parents are really into sailing. I’m glad sailing brings them such joy and pleasure. Next week we leave for our annual two-week sailing trip in the Bahamas.
Why they think that I would enjoy rocking and crashing on slippery decks, wearing a hot and uncomfortable life preserver, twenty-four hours a day, and feeling semi-nauseous from the moment I step foot on the boat is beyond me.
Don’t get me started about the dog rations that taste like cardboard and the tepid water sloshing over the side of the bowl.
Why do the humans think their dogs are like them and enjoy doing what they like to do? Dogs are content to have a safe and warm place to live, a loving family, nutritious food, naps at will, and a few daily walks.
Dogs are not complicated and demanding beings. Why do the humans have to make everything about them?
Wilson
Dear Wilson,
Dog owners mean well. They think they are their dogs’ parents and refer to themselves as “’Moms” and “Dads.” Therefore, they treat their dogs like children.
Your parents want to show you the world and have you experience it as they do. Including you in the activities that they enjoy is their way of showing you how much they love you.
We all view the world through lenses colored by our nature and experiences. Imagine being a parent to a human. You would think they would love rolling on dead fish, smelling other humans’ butts, and chewing on bones.
Don’t be so hard on your parents. Scope out a place on the boat near the galley, in the hope that some of their food will come your way. Hang out on a bunk bed in rough weather. On calm days, go on deck and enjoy the sound of the sea, the warm breezes, and the companionship of your nearest and dearest.
Best, Frankie
© 2025 Geneva Woodruff
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