Navigating Life At Sea With A Dog
Posted by Wolf & I Co. on Apr 20, 2025
Sailing the World with North: Life at Sea with Our Adventure Pup
Hey there! We’re Anaïs (from France) and Elliot (from England), and together with our four-legged fur-missile North, we’re the crew behind @the_saltycruisers.
Right now, we’re soaking up the sunshine in the Bahamas — hopping from island to island, diving into crystal-clear water, and living the salty dream. But trust us, this life didn’t start with sandy beaches and coconut palms…
How It All Started
Back when we were both working corporate careers in Singapore — we found ourselves craving something different. More freedom, more adventure, and a whole lot more salt in our lives.
So we made a big leap: sold nearly everything we owned, bought a sailboat, and set off on a whole new way of living.
Our journey began 3.5 years ago in southern Spain. Since then, we've spent two seasons sailing the Med, crossed the Atlantic (yes, with North onboard!), cruised through the Caribbean, got struck by lightning (yep, that happened), and are currently chasing the sun through the Bahamas.
Meet the Real Captain: North
North is our 4.5-year-old Pomsky (Pomeranian x Husky), born in Ireland and raised on saltwater. We got him when he was just four months old, and he’s been our ride-or-die ever since.
He’s now visited 15 countries and has truly found his sea legs. He’s obsessed with paddleboarding, chasing beach birds, and staring down dolphins with a little too much enthusiasm…
One time, he actually jumped off the boat to join a passing pod. Thankfully, the water was calm, and we managed to scoop him back in pretty quickly. Safe to say, he now gets clipped in anytime dolphins are around. Lesson learned.
Why We Chose This Life
We always dreamed of a life that didn’t revolve around alarms, office desks, and traffic jams. Sailing gave us the chance to slow things down, reconnect with nature, and explore the world in our own time.
We’re now on boat #2 — after a few years on a monohull, we’re starting to eye catamarans… yep, the “dark side” is calling ?
For North, the upgrade that changed everything was adding nonslip covers to the stairs so he can get around safely. Offshore, we use a fake grass potty mat — and yep, he’s trained to go on command. Total game-changer.
Living Afloat with a Dog
Sailing with a dog means being extra tuned in — North gets taken ashore at least twice a day when we’re near land, and he lets us know when it’s time.
He’s adapted like a champ. He senses weather shifts better than our instruments, and the second we hoist the sails, he curls up and knocks out like it’s his job — rain or shine.
At anchor, he’s our furry security system. All bark, all fluff — but it works. We always know when someone’s coming close.
International Pup Life: Travel & Tips
Traveling with a dog across borders takes planning. North’s passport is probably thicker than ours at this point — vaccinations, vet visits, health certificates, and even titer tests depending on the country.
He’s done it all — from chasing butterflies in Italy to hiking volcanoes in the Caribbean, to rolling around on sandbars in the Bahamas.
His favorite spot so far? Hands down, the Bahamas. Warm water, open beaches, and plenty of dolphin drama.
Eating Like a Local
At sea, we keep things pretty flexible food-wise. He gets high-quality kibble (we stock up when we find the good stuff), but we also mix in fresh fish or goodies from local markets when we can. He’s not picky — lucky us!
Storms, Lightning & Other Wild Rides
Oh yeah — we’ve had some intense moments. The craziest? Definitely getting struck by lightning while anchored. It was deafening. North totally freaked out, and we lost all electronics.
We had to sail the boat old-school all the way to Annapolis, in the USA, to get everything fixed. But we made it, and learned a lot along the way.
We’ve dealt with squalls, floating debris, and other sketchy situations — but through it all, North’s safety is our top priority. He’s got his own life vest, harness, and a cozy spot to curl up when things get rough.
Thinking About Sailing with Your Dog?
Do it. Honestly, it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. But be prepared.
Here are our top tips (we’ve got more over on IG):
- Train your dog for offshore potty breaks — fake grass is your friend
- Keep up with vet paperwork and country-specific rules
- Make time for daily land walks — it’s essential
- Invest in safety gear (harness, life vest, GPS tag)
- Plan meals ahead — resupplying isn’t always easy
- Be flexible — the sea will humble you, in the best way
What’s Next for Us?
We’ve got some exciting plans in the works — more crossings, coastal cruising, maybe even switching to a multihull, and we’d love to get more of you involved in future adventures.
Whatever comes next, North will be leading the way — tail wagging, ears up, and totally ready for the next salty chapter.
Follow Our Journey
Want to follow along with our salty life at sea? You can find us on Instagram at @the_saltycruisers — where we share the good, the chaotic, and everything in between.
Big love and salty thanks to Wolf & I Co. for keeping North kitted out in the best adventure gear. We wouldn’t cruise without it.
See you out there!