JoJo the SuperDog

JoJo
"SuperDog"

JoJo was born out of wedlock to a little Poodle and some other little terrier type dog in the month of Sept. 1994 on a ranch in somewhere in south Texas. His birthday was celebrated on the 24th of Sept. since that is the birthday of our one and only, Barnacle Bill. Each year he was presented with his own birthday cake, usually made up of the best canned dog food money can buy mixed with the finest left overs from the refrigerator. JoJo was given to Barnacle when he was only 5 weeks old. He was so tiny he would fit in a coffee cup. But he finally grew up to a "romping" 20 pounds. When Barnacle purchased 'COYOTE' (41' Formosa sailboat), JoJo took to boat life with full gusto. He was the keeper of the boat. No one could come aboard unless Barnacle was there and even then JoJo let them know he was second in command.

Never to be forgotten JoJo did his first mystic dive into the icy waters of the Gulf of Mexico at the early age of only 4 months in the darkness of the evening. "Man, it's dark in here." My son, Daniel, and I couldn't see hide nor hair of him for the darkness, but we could hear his little paws slappin the water like 90 miles per hour. Flashlight....where's the flashlight??? "Where's the God damn flashlight"
Little JoJo was found sittlin atop the rudder which sticks out of the water only inches. This may be the first of many reasons JoJo hated water so much. But, when he was at the beach, he had no difficulty in running into the water biting little waves or going in swimming. Go figure!!!
JoJo's next trip to the water was in dead of winter. My God, it must have been something like in the lower 40's. You see, JoJo didn't like being left on the boat all the time while Dad was working his ass off just to make ends meet. So off the boat he would jump. JoJo was rescued by none other than the dock master that JoJo had taken a bite out of just a month earlier, and JoJo would still try to bite his ass after he recuperated ....hehehe
This jumping off the boat cost Barnacle $130 on one occasion. JoJo decided to expand his area of roaming, he was spied by one of our local law enforcement officers. Making his escape from 5 local fat police, 2 marina attendents and one good looking animal control officer, he scrambled back to the boat where he was safe. What the hell did those cops think they would do if they caught JoJo??? He would have eaten them alive....hehehe!!! Well since he was a known boat jumper, the animal control officer knew where to go for the ticket.The judge was somewhat amused that his finest officers couldn't catch a little 15 pound puppy....lol.
JoJo and I made a trip New Orleans one year to join in the evening festivities which goes on and on and on. He wore his finest bright red collar and leash which made him looking little gentleman. JoJo really enjoyed the attention he received from all the ladies. And of course Barnacle enjoyed it too....!
In front of one shop, JoJo and I were invited inside to 'look around'. As fate would have it, JoJo headed to the lady's wear department with me taggin along on leash. JoJo said... "oh, nice dress" and promptly hiked his leg to mark it. To which the owner was not at all amused. We were politely asked to leave the store. The guy had no sense of humor.
On another trip, to Galveston, Texas, with my daughter Angela, JoJo took it upon himself to leave his mark on anything and everything that happened to be in his path...marking them all. Poor little Angela was sooo embarrassed.
JoJo learned at an early age (not on his own I'm sure) of what he had. This little JoJo was a Texan you know!!! And things in Texas grow big.... When prompted (see I told ya) to show the ladies what he had, he would lay down and raise his leg. Hell, every time I do that , it's off to jail with ya!!! I can't even wizz in public without someone crying and whinnin....lol.
JoJo's favorite past time was going for a ride. Oh how this dog loved to "go for a ride". He would stand with all fours on the window sill (or what ever you call the damn thing) no matter what speed I was going. Only fell one time, but fear not, Barnacle always held on to him. On one occasion cruising the beach (one of his favorite spots), he rode on the hood grinnin from ear to ear.
The dog just wasn't right!!!

While I was hosing down the cockpit one day (JoJo didn't like the water hose) JoJo took his escape to the safety of the forward deck. Just playing around, knowing JoJo "hates" being squirted, I made a squirt to the forward deck. JoJo made his way further forward to the bow sprit. Another squirt and JoJo backs his off the port bow and into the waiting waters 8 feet below. You talk about a pissed off dog!!! Wouldn't talk to me for hours.
Now you talk about run. This dog could run.
When let off the boat for his evening walk, he made his way down the dock like a rabbit being chased by a howling coon dag, dodging in and out of anyone or anything in his way. I mean, he stopped for absolutely nothing!!!
On his beach runs, this little runt of a dog would run at full speed (20 mph according to VW) for no less than a mile. Well, he did make a few stops along the way to mark things. And mark things he did. Where do dogs get all that piss??? Now a garbage can was his favorite adventure source. He would spent at least 5 minutes at each one sniffing, digging and marking, while I sat my ass in the VW waiting.
Had a boat neighbor that was the proud owner of one of those Rotwollers..... this guys dog was a horse!!! JoJo sent that wimp sucker down the dock many times. The owner came to my boat one evening and asked me, "would you tell JoJo to leave my dog alone"??? hehehe....
JoJo and Barnacle were the best of buddies.
He will never be forgotten and will live on in my memories forever.