Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[rangeley]

Health certificate done. Oak is good to go to Bermuda. Our vet has gotten really good with the paperwork since we have been going to her. 

 

The past few times we have gone there, we hear about Wexler. Last time we heard all the girls cried when he passed. Didnt realize how much he was loved by everyone. Today I was told they all hung out with him and fed him all kinds of food. He had pizza, cookies and donuts. It breaks my heart. 💔🐾 But happy to know his last few hours were filled with love and food. His 2 favorite things. 

Edited May 20, 2019 by rangeley

[wizard-of-roz]

5 hours ago, rangeley said:

Health certificate done. Oak is good to go to Bermuda. Our vet has gotten really good with the paperwork since we have been going to her. 

 

The past few times we have gone there, we hear about Wexler. Last time we heard all the girls cried when he passed. Didnt realize how much he was loved by everyone. Today I was told they all hung out with him and fed him all kinds of food. He had pizza, cookies and donuts. It breaks my heart. 💔🐾 But happy to know his last few hours were filled with love and food. His 2 favorite things. 

OMG!  Cindy, I'm sitting here crying.  Thank you for sharing this with us.  As difficult as it is, it's so good to know that our babies are treated so wonderfully and loved by everyone, cookies, pizza & donuts....so cute!  What a tough job they have......

 

You must be so excited about cruising with Oakland, a whole new experience.  I remember Horton's first was quite eventful and so different than cruising with Brenny.

 

Since I chose home hospice with Brenda my Vets office had a kazillion questions for me about the experience.  I swear, I was in such a fog, I really had to think very hard about it all.

[rangeley]

11 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

OMG!  Cindy, I'm sitting here crying.  Thank you for sharing this with us.  As difficult as it is, it's so good to know that our babies are treated so wonderfully and loved by everyone, cookies, pizza & donuts....so cute!  What a tough job they have......

 

You must be so excited about cruising with Oakland, a whole new experience.  I remember Horton's first was quite eventful and so different than cruising with Brenny.

 

Since I chose home hospice with Brenda my Vets office had a kazillion questions for me about the experience.  I swear, I was in such a fog, I really had to think very hard about it all.

I don't know how they do it Roz. But glad to know they took care of our boy and made him happy with his favorite thing... Food. 

 

Very excited about cruising with Oakland. He is well behaved and have no doubt he will be a hit with the passengers. He loves meeting new people just like the last one. It should be fun! 

[Plant]

I saw on a FB post, someone with a Service Dog whose dog had a vest that said to ignore him.  Is this something I should do?  I usually say to the owner, "what a sweet dog" and smile at the dog, maybe say hi.  Is this considered rude?  

Thanks

[wizard-of-roz]

11 hours ago, rangeley said:

I don't know how they do it Roz. But glad to know they took care of our boy and made him happy with his favorite thing... Food. 

Very excited about cruising with Oakland. He is well behaved and have no doubt he will be a hit with the passengers. He loves meeting new people just like the last one. It should be fun! 

We're so lucky to have a CCI dog aren't we!  💕

[wizard-of-roz]

38 minutes ago, Plant said:

I saw on a FB post, someone with a Service Dog whose dog had a vest that said to ignore him.  Is something I should do?  I usually say to the owner, "what a sweet dog" and smile at the dog, maybe say hi.  Is this considered rude?  

Thanks

It's never a good idea to touch/talk or get eye contact with a Service Dog.  It actually can be quite dangerous for the handler, if the dog is distracted from it's duties.  You may approach the handler and ask if you may pat and/or talk to his/her dog.

 

Thank you for your concern and for your good questions.

[Plant]

Thanks Roz!  I'm glad to know that.  I don't expect to pet the dog, but I didn't know I should ignore him/her.  Will do that in the future until given permission to talk to the dog ☺️.

[wizard-of-roz]

4 hours ago, Plant said:

Thanks Roz!  I'm glad to know that.  I don't expect to pet the dog, but I didn't know I should ignore him/her.  Will do that in the future until given permission to talk to the dog ☺️.

You are so welcome!  

[Caribbean Chris]

On 5/20/2019 at 3:49 PM, rangeley said:

Health certificate done. Oak is good to go to Bermuda. Our vet has gotten really good with the paperwork since we have been going to her. 

 

The past few times we have gone there, we hear about Wexler. Last time we heard all the girls cried when he passed. Didnt realize how much he was loved by everyone. Today I was told they all hung out with him and fed him all kinds of food. He had pizza, cookies and donuts. It breaks my heart. 💔🐾 But happy to know his last few hours were filled with love and food. His 2 favorite things. 

 

Cindy, such a happy/sad story. It sounds like you have a wonderful vet staff. It’s so great that Wexler was treated with that truly loving care. He probably thought they were angels, and that heaven was filled with pizza, cookies, and donuts. Maybe it is.

[DUTRAVEL]

On 5/20/2019 at 12:49 PM, rangeley said:

Health certificate done. Oak is good to go to Bermuda. Our vet has gotten really good with the paperwork since we have been going to her. 

 

The past few times we have gone there, we hear about Wexler. Last time we heard all the girls cried when he passed. Didnt realize how much he was loved by everyone. Today I was told they all hung out with him and fed him all kinds of food. He had pizza, cookies and donuts. It breaks my heart. 💔🐾 But happy to know his last few hours were filled with love and food. His 2 favorite things. 

Have a great time in Bermuda - we enjoyed our cruise stop there in November and their Government Vet was so accommodating. 

 

I love this story about the vet and the love and care they gave Wexler.

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

15 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

Cindy, such a happy/sad story. It sounds like you have a wonderful vet staff. It’s so great that Wexler was treated with that truly loving care. He probably thought they were angels, and that heaven was filled with pizza, cookies, and donuts. Maybe it is.

It better be!

[rangeley]

Oak is ready to go. Cleared by the ship and Bermuda. So excited to see how things go. I will prob be on facebook for the week so maybe Roz can check on us. Luckily Wexlers life jacket fits Oakland. Gave him a bath this morning. He's so good! 

[Caribbean Chris]

Oakland, you are such a handsome boy! All suited up and ready to work on board and ashore! Have a wonderful trip, you three. What ship are you on?

[Caribbean Chris]

Ray got a great report today from our wonderful local animal eye specialist, Dr. Salisbury, who participates every May in the ACVO free eye exam for service dogs. No change in her cataracts, and the doctor says there’s typically only a 5% chance for Labradors that they could progress further.

 

I really am grateful for these vets who are part of the annual ACVO program. The doctor said she was much better behaved than her two previous patients. I love my Good Girl!

[rangeley]

28 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Oakland, you are such a handsome boy! All suited up and ready to work on board and ashore! Have a wonderful trip, you three. What ship are you on?

On the NCL Gem right out of Boston. My son and dil are going with us. 

[rangeley]

17 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Ray got a great report today from our wonderful local animal eye specialist, Dr. Salisbury, who participates every May in the ACVO free eye exam for service dogs. No change in her cataracts, and the doctor says there’s typically only a 5% chance for Labradors that they could progress further.

 

I really am grateful for these vets who are part of the annual ACVO program. The doctor said she was much better behaved than her two previous patients. I love my Good Girl!

We took Oakland a few weeks ago. His eyes are good. The last time we took Wex, they found a tumor in his eye. One dr said they'd have to remove is eye. We got a second opinion and she said it was just a cyst. It never bothered him. 

[Caribbean Chris]

12 minutes ago, rangeley said:

We took Oakland a few weeks ago. His eyes are good. The last time we took Wex, they found a tumor in his eye. One dr said they'd have to remove is eye. We got a second opinion and she said it was just a cyst. It never bothered him. 

 

Wow, that’s a scary story. Yikes. You were so smart to get another opinion, and I’m so glad Wexler didn’t go through that drastic surgery unnecessarily!

[alexspepa]

On 5/22/2019 at 5:27 AM, Caribbean Chris said:

 

Cindy, such a happy/sad story. It sounds like you have a wonderful vet staff. It’s so great that Wexler was treated with that truly loving care. He probably thought they were angels, and that heaven was filled with pizza, cookies, and donuts. Maybe it is.

Chris that is such a beautiful sentiment...I wish you would write a book about the experiences you and Roz and the other Service Dog owners as well as the Puppy Raisers have had.

[Miki_moto]

2 hours ago, rangeley said:

We took Oakland a few weeks ago. His eyes are good. The last time we took Wex, they found a tumor in his eye. One dr said they'd have to remove is eye. We got a second opinion and she said it was just a cyst. It never bothered him. 

 

Yikes!  Thank heaven for second opinions!

 

Nico is my second service dog to take advantage of the ACVO exams.  When we had our yearly public access test in April, the trainer casually mentioned that his eyes looked a ‘little cloudy’ but it may only be the light.  I was very relieved that he got a clean bill of health from the ACVO vet.

 

We sail in exactly four weeks - not that I’m counting!!!  I’ve been advised that the ship has doggie life jackets in all sizes and Nico’s pirate collar is ready.  Now if I can figure out how to alter his bow tie, we’ll be good to go!

[wizard-of-roz]

6 hours ago, rangeley said:

Oak is ready to go. Cleared by the ship and Bermuda. So excited to see how things go. I will prob be on facebook for the week so maybe Roz can check on us. Luckily Wexlers life jacket fits Oakland. Gave him a bath this morning. He's so good! 

Oh!  Oakey!  You'll be okay......You don't need to have such a worried look!  Cruising is fun.....You're going to love it, I promise!  🚤

[wizard-of-roz]

5 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Ray got a great report today from our wonderful local animal eye specialist, Dr. Salisbury, who participates every May in the ACVO free eye exam for service dogs. No change in her cataracts, and the doctor says there’s typically only a 5% chance for Labradors that they could progress further.

 

I really am grateful for these vets who are part of the annual ACVO program. The doctor said she was much better behaved than her two previous patients. I love my Good Girl!

Such a brave, good girl.  I'm so happy that her eyes are doing well!

[lindaler]

First time posting on this subject but I have read everything I could find. I put a cruise on hold and sent back my SRi form for Holland America special department. I sure hope they say yes.  I am not sure I could do a cruise without my husband or my service dog. Husband is gone but dog should allow me to start again, if they say yes.  How do you put in 100 characters what your dog does for you? She does so much for me.  Please wish us luck. 

 

Just a 14 day to Alaska. The lady said they put the potty on a floor two floors up from where we would be staying. guy said she could get off in all ports without special papers. Not sure if he is right but I told him it was the getting back on that had me the most worried. 

Edited May 23, 2019 by lindaler
to add more

[wizard-of-roz]

4 hours ago, rangeley said:

On the NCL Gem right out of Boston. My son and dil are going with us. 

Cindy, Bon~Voyage to all of you.  Have fun with Oakland and when you look into the sunset blow Wexy a kiss from me too!  💖 

[wizard-of-roz]

10 minutes ago, lindaler said:

First time posting on this subject but I have read everything I could find. I put a cruise on hold and sent back my SRi form for Holland America special department. I sure hope they say yes.  I am not sure I could do a cruise without my husband or my service dog. Husband is gone but dog should allow me to start again, if they say yes.  How do you put in 100 characters what your dog does for you? She does so much for me.  Please wish us luck. 

 

Just a 14 day to Alaska. The lady said they put the potty on a floor two floors up from where we would be staying. guy said she could get off in all ports without special papers. Not sure if he is right but I told him it was the getting back on that had me the most worried. 

lindaler,  I'm sorry to hear about your husband.  My DH and I cruised many times by ourselves and then with my SD.  I, too, lost my DH and was a bit shy of cruising with just me and my dog.  Every succeeding cruise became easier and easier.  Be brave, be open to new friends, give yourself lots of time to go from venue to venue.  I wish you lots of happy days and good times with you and your dog!  I promise, you can do it!  😉

 

You will need a recent Vet report and Aphis 7001 form in order to get your dog on board.  You will be entering a foreign port [probably Vancouver], they will require the necessary paperwork before you enter their port.  All other ports in Alaska are easy.

 

Cruising is a wonderful vacation experience for those of us with Service Dogs.  You will find HAL to be very accommodating to you and your dog.  

 

We're all happy to answer any of your good questions in order to make your experience a good one for you and your dog.

[wizard-of-roz]

3 hours ago, Miki_moto said:

 

Yikes!  Thank heaven for second opinions!

 

Nico is my second service dog to take advantage of the ACVO exams.  When we had our yearly public access test in April, the trainer casually mentioned that his eyes looked a ‘little cloudy’ but it may only be the light.  I was very relieved that he got a clean bill of health from the ACVO vet.

 

We sail in exactly four weeks - not that I’m counting!!!  I’ve been advised that the ship has doggie life jackets in all sizes and Nico’s pirate collar is ready.  Now if I can figure out how to alter his bow tie, we’ll be good to go!

Love the anticipation of a cruise!