"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.
