LETTERS family cat. The poor kitty was splayed out flat, tail extended straight back, with the claws from all four feet dug into the wood, desperately clinging for support. The cat, eyes wide, was crying piteously. I couldn't bear to watch, so I quickly moved on. Lew Warden Santa Maria
CHERYL ROBERTS
⇑⇓COMMUTER CRUISING WITH TWO CATS The first year we were aboard, we brought along our cat, Floyd, who was about 15 at the time. While he tolerated it, he never really liked it. He passed away while we were in the Bahamas. We're now doing 'six months on, six months off', and brought two new kitties along. They have adjusted very well and are a delight to have aboard. Having two is nice since they can keep each other company when we're off the boat. Ours are sibs and get along very well. To us, it appears that cruising with cats is much more convenient than with dogs, as dogs need to be taken ashore on a regular basis. Eric Smith C:\[esc], Freedom 45 CC St. Louis, MO
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⇑⇓"WE'VE HAD CATS ABOARD FOR 38 YEARS" Cruising with a cat is absolutely 'do-able' — and easier than cruising with a dog. My husband and I have lived aboard for 38 years, and we have always had a cat on board with us. Jasmine, our current cat, is an 11-year-old ragdoll. She was raised onboard from the time she was a kitten. We think it's important to get a young cat so that you can train it to be on a boat. We found that a water hose lying across the boarding ladder worked well for teaching her to stay on the boat — which means she doesn't get onto other boats where she doesn't belong. Jasmine spends most of the summer hanging out with us at the Isthmus at Catalina. She has Jasmine supervises all sea- also made two seven-month trips food preparations. to Mexico, and spent an additional three years cruising through Mexico, Central America, and Panama all the way to the San Blas Islands. Jasmine is a great traveler, as she never gets seasick and only becomes vocal when the weather gets really rough. The only downside to having her aboard is that she prefers to sleep in the captain's helm seat when it gets rough. Jasmine stays on the bridge with us when we're underway, and she loves watching the full moon when underway. The vet in Panama gave her a rabies shot, but neglected to give us a receipt. Without a receipt, the Agriculture official in Huatulco wanted to make us take her to the vet for a checkup. We finally convinced him that it wasn't necessary because she never gets off the boat. Cheryl & Ron Roberts Lazy Days, DeFever 49 Long Beach ⇑⇓DOUBLE THE TROUBLE, DOUBLE THE FUN To answer Mr. Lampthan's inquiry, yes, cats do adapt
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Latitude 38
• May, 2011