Re: [Paddlewise] Bush League

> From: Shawn Baker <shawnkayak_at_yahoo.com>

> And whether we choose to agree or disagree with the Chief Executive's
> or Administration's direction, we must always support the women and men
> who wear our country's uniforms.  Those good folks are putting our
> Nation's freedoms (including our relatively insignificant freedom to
> paddle!) before their own lives.  We are blessed for their choice.

So so true.

And there is a very sad side to the call-to-duty story that many of us
have not considered. (http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/state/5246434.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp - "Soldiers try to find home for 
pets as tensions with Iraq escalate" )

A lot of folks here know how much I've enjoyed paddling with my pets.
(see http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/poochyak.html ) and a few of you
know that I have a soft spot for rescues.

Maybe somewhere among all the soldiers' pets that need homes or 
temporary care, there might be a paddler or paddler-in-waiting.  I 
can say firsthand, dogs make great paddling companions (I've heard 
cats can, too, but I've no experience with it and don't intend to 
share a kayak with westies *and* a cat as westies are enough of a 
challenge alone).  

Why dogs make good paddling companions:

They always wear their happy face.
They can see in the dark and hear distant boats.
They don't try to correct your stroke.
They don't care if your boat is all scratched up.
They don't mind landing in the mud.  If it stinks,
   they like it better.
They like sit-on-tops.
They ward off big birds.
They don't mind getting wet.
They keep the raccoons out of your food.
They warn you if a snake is near your camp.
They let you know if two legged sharks are near camp.
They help you perfect your paddling skills for 
   choppy water.
They won't let you oversleep.
They think it's great fun if you all go for a swim,
   intended or not.
They never complain.
They like you *better* after a multi-day trip with
    no shower.
They can be perfectly happy going showerless themselves.
They clean up leftovers.

If you can foster a soldier's furry or feathered family member, 
here's a good place to start:

http://www.netpets.org/netp/foster.php

Here's another more recent story about soldiers who need homes for
their friends:
http://www.wacotrib.com/hp/content/coxnet/iraq/story/0306_PETS.html

I can't recommend the patrioticpets.org as there doesn't seem to
be enough info and they haven't updated their website in a very 
long time.  But netpets.org has more information about their
organization as well as more contact information.

Pooches roll... and paddle, too :-)

Jackie
http://www.muddypuppies.com/
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