The best things in life are even sweeter when you get to share them with someone you love. All the dogs love cuddles and care from their owners, even when they are not little puppies anymore. They prefer accompanying you everywhere you go, from shopping at the supermarket to going hiking.
David Bahnson, a retired ᴏʀᴛʜᴏᴘᴇᴅɪᴄ sᴜʀɢᴇᴏɴ from Vermont, he’s figured out the perfect way to share his favorite pastime with his pets – by building a kayak designed with them in mind. When noticed that his pup Susie could fit perfectly in the baggage compartment of his kayak, he realized that by making a few adjustments, he’d be able to share his love of kayaking with his sweet pup. Bahnson said:” They seem to love it. They get excited when we’d pull the kayaks out and see that we were going.” Bahnson first had the idea after seeing how easily his first dog, Susie, could fit inside the baggage compartment of his kayak, which he built from a kit by Pygmy Boats. The addition of a ring, or “coaming,” around the opening helped her stay cozy and dry as they piloted the vessel through the water on their outings. Now, any adventure out on the water can be complemented by the addition of his happy dogs.
And when Banhson and his wife added another pup to the family, Bahnson quickly added a second hole to the kayak so that little Ginger could come, too. Bahnson said:” When we got Ginger, I just put in another hole . It’s like a triple kayak, only there isn’t enough room for the paddlers to put their feet – but it’s perfect for a dog.” It never takes much convincing for those furry first mates to settle into their seats when it’s time to get going in the kayak. He added:” They are trained to get in the kayak themselves on command. They sit down, and off we go. When we come ashore, they’ll stay seated until I tell them it’s OK to get out. They never hopped out into the water, actually. We’ve seen other people kayaking with their dogs, but they usually have them in the cockpit with them. That’s kind of awkward, so this just worked out better. They each have a little dedicated space, and they just sit and enjoy the ride.”
Susie and Ginger always felt safe and happy while Bahnson brought them out on adventures in the little vessel, and they would wait patiently for permission to leave the kayak whenever they returned to shore. Although both Ginger and Susie were strong swimmers, they never jumped overboard while out in the kayak. They were more than happy to just glide around with their daddy and enjoy spending time together out on the water. Ginger and Susie spent many happy hours out on the water together with Bahnson and his wife, and they were also treated to other family adventures, such as joining Bahnson in his helicopter or going on road trips.
The pups’ lives were filled with love and adventure, and even though both Ginger and Suse have since ᴘᴀssᴇᴅ ᴏɴ, they live on in memory. Bahnson and his wife are continuing the tradition that started with Susie and Ginger and are treating their new pets to fun and exciting kayak trips. And while the sight of dogs out for a day of kayaking tends to attract a fair bit of attention and more than a few happy glances from passersby – no one could be more pleased than the passengers themselves. Bahnson said:” I love my dogs. I love training them, the companionship. We’ve gone miles and miles of paddling with our dogs. They just really enjoy going places.”
Their furbabies love the fresh air and excitement and all the attention they’re getting from other kayakers they meet on the lake. But most of all, they love spending time together as a family while sharing such special and precious moments.
