Newspage

Just like the SSCA gams and the St. Petersburg boat show, it was great seeing and talking with everybody at the Philadelphia StrictlySail show. The seminars at the Philadelphia show went great with more than double the number of presentations that I did in St. Pete.

The need for information on sailing with pets is out there and the response to the newPETS ON BOARD? book has been tremendous. It's amazing just how many people are looking for help with getting their pets aboard.

In Luperon we found that close to 1/2 the boats anchored there in 2005 had pets aboard. Recently I have been genuinely pleased with the response to the new book, even by those who have not yet acquired a boat. There are evidently a lot of people intending to take their pets cruising. Once again at the boat show, lots of questions and ideas were passed around and I think everyone walked away with something. I know I did.

To those of you who bought my WVC book at the shows, from me along the way, from my website, and directly from retailers, both on-line and in stores, THANKS! I appreciate your confidence and hope you never need the book. Also thanks to those who attended my seminars. I appreciated all of your comments.
My cooperative arrangement with the SSCA has resulted in a survey of pet owning members of the organization. I am waiting to see the results of this effort and hopefully that will lead to a greater recognition of the needs of pet owners within the organization and among the cruising community in general.

Dr. Dave at the Philadelphia StrictlySail boat show. (L) Here he is interviewed by Captain Bill Pinkney for his radio show. Capt Bill was the first African-American to make a solo circumnavigation via Cape Horn. (R) Dr. Dave with 'Dolfy,' the StrictlySail mascot.

Wilderness Veterinary Companion for Cruisers is growing in both recognition and availability. While cruising here in the Caribbean I have distributed it to Island Marine of St. Thomas (also with stores in Tortola and St. Croix, in addition to at least three stores in St. Thomas) and Budget Marine and Island Water World both of whom have stores throughout the Caribbean.

In the U.S. I have made the book available through Bluewater Books as well as a number of on-line distributors including, but not limited to, cruisingguides.com and hotwire.com as well as this website.

I have chosen not to distribute the book through Amazon because of their size and their inability to get anything right regarding the display and availability of the book on their website. I am not distributing through other large chains, such as West Marinebecause of their demands regarding supply, packaging, pricing, etc. My market is extremely limited and I am hoping that word about this book and where to get it will spread through the pet-owning cruising community.

The Pets On Board? book is available only through my website for now and will remain so for the near future. Thanks again.