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Latitude 38 November 2007

Page 60

YEAR-END CLOSEOUT!!! FACTORY DIRECT!!! SAVE THE DATES: December 3 thru December 8 9:00am - 3:00pm

Precision Lighting Showroom 3635 Standish Avenue, Santa Rosa Just two blocks off Hwy. 101 – Todd Rd. Exit

• Hundreds of overstock items • Hundreds of factory seconds • Hundreds of discontinued stock • Holiday gift items: Desktop/bar globes, knives, porthole clocks, barometers, mirrors, ship bells • 12-volt light fixtures • Cabinet hardware, plumbing hardware, restoration hardware

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Latitude 38

• November, 2007

COURTESY STORMCAT

LETTERS at that point we just about broke out the champagne, for our life had suddenly become a lot easier. I gave the turf a quick rinse this time, and hung it to dry. It was important to leave some scent on it for awhile so the dogs didn't get confused. Since that day, we've only had to devote a few minutes each day to the elimination process. On long passages, we can heave to and run the dogs up to the bow — on their leashes, of course. In really rough weather, we've gotten them to go on the Astro Turf in the cockpit — and even in the dinghy while its been on the davits! But we always use the Astro Turf. Another concern for dog owners is that many dogs don't seem to drink enough water while underway, which can cause dehydration, constipation, and other problems. Fortunately, both my dogs like watermelon and cantaloupe, so I feed them lots of those, which keeps them well-hydrated. Some dogs will also be more inclined to drink 'Leader of the pack' Sandy Tilbury with her water if you put a very terriers Maggie and McDougal. small amount of milk in it. I've had them drink it down like crazy after they'd turned up their nose at straight water. I sure hope that some of this helps another dog-crazy person such as myself. But just remember to pick an empty anchorage for the peeing lessons, as I don't think humans will look upon peeing on the bow quite as favorably as your dogs. Sandy Tilbury Stormcat, Hunter 41 DS Vancouver, B.C. ⇑⇓YOUR ADVOCACY IS WRONG-HEADED I can recall when Latitude, back in the days of Big O, was an advocate for cruisers and critical of 'official interference' affecting the ability of cruisers to anchor as long as was necessary or as long as they wanted. Nowadays, Latitude advocates for a larger role by government in controlling how long and where we may anchor. It's not clear to me why this is so. Perhaps if you pulled out the stops and revealed your class bias by saying exactly what you think about the so-called 'anchor-outs' and 'liveaboards', I'd get it. I'm not talking about the folks who leave their boats unattended long enough that they can be appropriately described as abandoned. Nor am I talking about moored boats — a pox on the face of the earth if ever there was one. I'm talking about cruisers. Latitude seems happy enough as long as cruisers are far away in Mexico, the South Pacific, and other far flung destinations. But what about those of us who are still plying, and yes, needing to anchor in U.S. waters? It is impracticable to believe cruisers, who must micromanage their cruising kitty, should be pushed into marinas or onto buoys with fees. Your suggestion that the retired guy who may want to spend a month at anchor is o.k., but anyone wanting to anchor out indefinitely reveals your shortsighted and biased take on the issue. So far, most letters you publish regarding the matter are critical of those who choose to anchor over the long term. How about the letter I sent you last month? When I wrote


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