Wan-Lea Peruses/ PERCY, The Sailor Cat

Percy Sails to Main

It's been a while since my last report as a sailor cat. I thought I'd let you know that now that I am a 3 year old Tonk, I consider myself an “Old Salt”. My people, MJ and Steve Floyd are now retired and have started a 4 year sailing trip on “Cygnus” our Catalina 470 sailboat. We left on July 5 th , 2006 sailing in rain and fog all day. When we got to the Sassafras River , the sun came out and my people (plus Jim, an extra crew member) went swimming. It seems there are none of those white blobs (jellyfish) to worry about in the Sassafras! I still don't understand why my people like to get wet!

The next day and night I will only mention as a WARNING to other sailor cats- Beware of ALL NIGHT passages! My people left the bay and sailed night and day; 36 hours; without stopping! Twenty miles out from the New Jersey shore and seas “on the nose” was a very topsy turvy ride. Finally, I had to put my paw down, and say “Enough Already!” Since my people don't understand yowling, I remained quiet and decided to throw up on that Jim person's quilt. No one noticed, since they were all outside sailing. So, then I crawled into the forward head (bathroom) and pooped a lot on the rug (even though my litter box was only 10 more steps away). My people still didn't notice! Then I pretended to lie down next to MJ, (but I was really peeing on the bed).This got a quick response from MJ, and by now my Steve had stepped in the poop. Then everyone felt sorry for me and they were extra sweet. The best part is now they say they won't sail all night again. Just the way I prefer it!

We made it to Boothbay Harbor , Maine a week later (including two 100 mile days). My people take me for rides in the dinghy with my harness on. I love the feel of the salt air on my face and whiskers. I love the shouts of “Oh my gosh, that's a CAT on that dinghy!” I've made a lot of friends ashore, since I ride in my Pet Pouch (sort of a back pack reversed), my new friends tell me I'm pretty and take my picture too. MJ still insists on giving me a bath and brushing my teeth, even though I stay clean living on the boat.

The other day I was watching Steve clean my “chariot”, the dinghy. I leaned out a little too far and my paws started to slip on the dewy boat. I knew I was headed for the cold clear seawater of Maine ! So with typical Tonkinese grace, I pushed off into a beautiful swan dive and landed 6 feet out from the boat. Steve and MJ yelled “Over here, Percy!” But I already knew to swim to the aft of Cygnus to climb onboard. Steve has made a rope ladder for just this occasion. I very quickly climbed aboard. Steve ran for my special Coconut shampoo and my towel. Soon I was shampooed, dried and lying in my basket in the sun. Steve said he'd never seen a prettier dive!

Yesterday in Tennants Harbor , my people took me out for my evening dinghy ride. It was sunny and calm. As we passed another sailboat, a small Jack Russell Terrier spied me. He got so excited to see a Cat in a dinghy that he ran along the boat biting, tearing, and ripping at the jib sheet ropes. I quietly chuckled to myself, but my people laughed and laughed at the little dog! Maybe dogs DON'T rule after all!

My people and I have seen huge seals (their heads look like floating basketballs, until they turn and stare with their dark eyes). They are shy and swim gracefully away. There are many dolphins and lighthouses too. I hope MJ will carry me to the top of a lighthouse next summer. Then I can have a cat's eye view of the beautiful harbors. I also like looking at the sailing schooners and getting waves from the passengers!

Tomorrow August 25 th , we are starting our long trip south. The nights are already getting cool (40's) and my people miss their Maryland friends. I will send you another sailor cat update when we return to the bay- Mid September. To all my Tonkinese cat buddies- “Farewell and Following Seas .”