Adventures in Jack's World

My dad is working and my mom is using that loud monster that sucks things off the floor (I HATE that thing) so I snuck in here to pen my thoughts to all of you. Its been some time and I need to make sure that they are telling the whole story for all of you. 

So, what's been going on?  Back in May, I got to go to Norfolk with the ship.  It wasn't too long of a trip...I'd say it took us about a year to get there, and we were there for like 6 hours (but I can't really tell time, so who knows).  This was a first for me, as it was the first cruise that I've worked, which was pretty cool.  There were a LOT of people on my ship, and that's the truth!  It was a pretty neat experience and people seemed surprised to see a dog on the ship.  Why is that?!?  Lots of people tried to get their picture taken with me, so I will admit, It made me feel like a celebrity dog, like maybe Lassie, or Beethoven or Tramp (in Lady and the Tramp).  

Then came the warm weather.  I was told that they were busy this summer, painting the ship and doing lots of work and that it was dangerous for me to be on board the ship, but then I find THESE pictures on my parents drive...  I'm not so sure what was going on, but some of it looks like monkey business was happening without me.  I tell you, do I have to DO everything around there and supervise everyone???  These people also apparently know how to make messes!

I had to do some dog-subliminal-messaging with the Captain, to let him know that things needed to change, and wouldn't you know it?  It worked... he told me that I could go to New York City on the ship.   This trip was a bit longer and it was pretty hot, too. I was the first one off the ship, and I had to leave my mark on the pier.  Let's say that my bladder must have been waiting for dry land, because people on the pier actually started clapping and cheering me as I was going to the bathroom.   Yep, I was blushing.  What? You don't think that dogs blush??? Well, I do!  

It was a neat trip and I got to hang out with lots of my favorite people.   The kids from New York's Harbor School were fun to hang out with too.   And then wouldn't you know it... I somehow hurt my paw.  They babied me each day but finally, midweek, my dad brought me to a nice vet clinic in Manhattan and they gave me medicine to kill the bad stuff that was making me sick, they wrapped my paw nicely and they gave me pain medicine and a very horrible cone of shame. That thing...   ugg {insert whole body shake and shiver},  THAT lasted all of one afternoon, until I convinced them that I was NO idiot and was not going to take off the bandage.  People!  Jeesh, its not like I'm dense...I get it!

But other than that, I got to hang out in New York City, and I saw the Statue of Liberty. I slept on the floor with the Captain half the time (not ALL my doing,  his wife asked me to keep him company since he would be missing her), and the other half with my dad. Sorry dad, but someone's got to hang out with the Captain and it's my job.  Here are some of the pictures I could find to show that I was there.  I'm just glad they didn't think to take a picture when they picked me up and put me on the surgery table to look at my foot, before deciding to take me to the vet. That was embarrassing, for pete's sake. 

Finally, this past weekend, we held our holiday party for crew members.  It's always good to hang out with all my peeps, especially when they're not covered in paint and smelly grease. Plus everyone dresses up nice and they smell good.  And don't tell my dad, but they also gave me food. AT THE TABLE, when my dad wasn't watching.   Hahaha...

These people writing the blog have been busy, so i'm sure they wont mind that I jumped in here to get the job done.  Hopefully I'll have more to tell you soon.  Until then, stay away from cats (they are mean and think they're better than everybody else!) and buy lots of treats for dogs (like me...hint, hint, hint...) 

~Jack (from the SS JOHN W BROWN)

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Project Liberty Ship, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization engaged in the preservation and operation of the historic ship JOHN W. BROWN as a living memorial museum. Gifts to Project Liberty Ship are tax deductible.

"In their Own Words" -Jack the Wonder Dog

"I don't really know anything about these blog things, and I'm sure these writers are going to act like they wrote this, but we all know the truth...this is my blog, and I wrote it.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.  I was born on October 31, 2007 on that really weird night when everyone dresses funny and wears scary masks (people are SO weird!)  I've also heard my dad, Zack, say my name is Jack O' Lantern, but I don't get it.  I just answer to Jack.  

Will you look at me?!?  I'd forgotten how small I was!  This is me and my dad.  He takes me everywhere with him, when he can.  I've been from Maine to Ohio and even to NC by T-boat.  I'm trying to convince my dad to be a lighthouse keeper for a summer.  ME and a lighthouse on an island, with my dad...how fun would that be?

I've heard people on the ship say that ship mascots have long been a part of maritime history and they have long been a tradition on the JOHN W BROWN.  That's another blog post.  My dad sometimes brought me and my Black Lab brother, Kooper to the ship.  But then Kooper got sick and died in 2011.  My dad and I were sad, so he started bringing me to the BROWN a lot more.  I have tons of friends on the ship and one of my favorite people is the Captain.  I get to stay with him and his family sometimes, and he adds yummy people food to my kibble (shhhh...don't tell my dad).  I follow the Captain around the ship, in fact, as soon as I get aboard, I run up to see if he's in his quarters, and if not, then I'll come back down and go visit everyone.  Some crew actually thought I belonged to the Captain.  How silly is that?!

I'm what you might call an ambassador for the ship.  Kids are OK but they smell AWESOME...ice cream, cookies, and cheddar cheese fish crackers.  So many scents on one small body!  Here I'm in Fell's Point at the Privateer Festival, greeting people (and smelling them) and bringing them to our display.  

So, I am an Australian Cattle dog/Blue Heeler.  My dad tells people that my 'kind' are highly intelligent and need to be a 'working dog'.  I do love to be moving and running and I also know that I can out smart some people I know.  I go everywhere on this ship, even down to the engine room. Once some police were doing training and their dogs would not come on the ship.  So my dad had me show the dogs that the gangway was not so scary and soon those police dogs were following me up to the deck. 

Not every dog gets to hang their head out of the 'window' of a WWII Liberty Ship when they go for a ride!

I might work hard, but I'm nobodies fool; I know where all the cool spots are on the BROWN.

I hope you don't think I'm just a dog.  I'm actually a crew member (with my own ID badge) and I will jump in when needed.  They don't think I can do some of this work, but I taught them a thing about line handling. 

I couldn't find my PFD, so i'm hanging out with Howard. 

Not one to be left out of anything on the ship, I jumped right in the lifeboat with my Captain.  Just call me  Chief Canine.

I've seen this at the firehouse with my dad.  A bunch of amateurs here...I need to supervise EVERYTHING!

When the Captain is busy, I am busy; where he goes, I will follow.  Sometimes I'll leave his side to go check on my dad and see who else has come on board, but then I go find the Captain again.  It's my job. 

Easy peasy.  I do better on some of these than the humans do.  I can even do about 2-3 rungs on a vertical ladder.

I'm a bit annoyed here... they SAY they are painting or something.  Hmmmff... the nerve of them keeping me alone in a cabin.   The least they could do is leave a human to play ball with me. 

Here are some more pictures of me.  Not to toot my own horn, but I'm the bees knees.  I'm pretty cool.  Well, thanks for reading my blog.  I've got to go check out Amazon...I heard there is a special on balls.  My dad thinks my lack of thumbs keeps me off the internet.  Little does HE know....

Yours truly,

Jack 

We would love to see your pictures of your special animals on your ships; plus I'm always looking for animal friends.  If you have a dog (or cat) that likes boats, post your pictures on our Facebook page."

Project Liberty Ship, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization engaged in the preservation and operation of the historic ship JOHN W. BROWN as a living memorial museum. Gifts to Project Liberty Ship are tax deductible.