Jim_Iain Apex Key West, TansAtlantic and British Isle with a Week in Amsterdam

[jrmende63]

 Jim,

We have a spoiled Golden retriever. Manassas. She is a dark red and a mess! Your story of Luke nearly brought me to tears. But I am so glad he has you and Iain to love on him. Thank you for rescuing him. 

[DUTRAVEL]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

Finally to the subject of this rambling post.     I took him to the vet as he wasn't eating.    The most wonderful vet in the world.   He taught me a bit about dog psychology.    This is going to sound really counter intuitive.   Put a bowl down with 2 Cups of dry food.   Only leave it for 5 minutes.    If he doesn't eat it pick it up and put on the counter until next meal time.  

 

Dogs when they eat will just cram food quickly and don't know when they are full to stop.   Took two meals until the third disappeared in 30 seconds...  That's how I eat.   What ever  you put in front of me or leave on the counter like snacks...   Hand Mouth without any self control.     That's also why I never ask the butler to leave anything.

 

Finally -  Doc told us to bring him up to 78 pounds - ideal weight for his small boy Golden frame.   We got him their and kept him at his ideal weight his whole life.    I got too close to him and when he died it destroyed me and have never replaced or allowed myself to get that close to a dog again

 

The day I picked him up

I love your story about Luke - how lucky he was to have found you!

 

Retrievers are very food motivated and that's what make them good service dogs (Henrietta lives to work for food). Studies have been done on this, and about 80% of successful service dogs are missing all or part of a gene that causes them to feel full. My husband claims he is missing the same gene.

[hcat]

15 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Another thing I will never eat is farm raised shrimp from Indonesia, just like Tilapia they have no governmental controls over feed and production methods. If the shrimp are not wild ocean raised and caught, I do not eat them. Some of best quality and tasting shrimp come from the US Gulf Coast and the eastern Florida estuaries. My favorites are the Florida reds caught off eastern Florida and Key West pinks. The old standby brown Gulf shrimp caught off the coast of Texas and Luisiana are also excellent for taste. Last year while in Greece and Italy we enjoyed excellent shrimp caught in the Med and around the Greek Islands.

Price of fresh fish in Fl..w  coast is sky high!  Much more than beef

[Lastdance]

Well Jim, we have followed your path to Bermuda, as two individuals needed to get off for medical care.  We just got into port, so they are being transferred to the hospital...hoping both will be okay , as I do not know their conditions.

 

Now, Beyond is going to Azores, its first port.  Today is only day two of our journey, filled with rain, but the sun is supposed to return after we embark in a few minutes heading on a slightly different course.  Our captain just said that he will try to get us as close to port as possible, but he may be a degree off; love his sense of humor...Captain D, one of the brothers moving to Ascent!  After degrees, it is “minutes,” so a degree off may put us in the Bermuda Triangle...or not!

Edited April 25, 2023 by Lastdance

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

Jim, first off I’m glad you’re enjoying your holiday and I hope that the weather and sea conditions and onboard experience continue to add to your travel enjoyment. 
 

Now to the Luke story…like others, it just about brought me to tears. DH and I are also dog lovers and I can’t imagine how that officer got accepted to the canine program with an attitude like that, just unthinkable. My DH was a K9 officer for most of his career, although German Shepherds are the most commonly used breeds around here. Although our dogs had outdoor houses and runs they had plenty of playtime when not working and enjoyed their “home” to catch some much needed rest after a shift. Their coats were so thick in the winter that indoor time just made them hot and they’d stand at the door to be let back out lol. The dogs (he trained and worked three separate dogs through his career) loved going to work and were similar to pets when at home. Never chained up, fortunately we had a large fenced backyard. As each got closer to retirement they became pets and lived in the house, relaxing on the couch and enjoying their chew toys. They were all well loved and well cared for. I’m disgusted with the original owner of Luke and am very grateful that you were able to give him the life that he so deserved. Fortunately Luke’s treatment by the callous officer is not typical and most police K9s are treated by their handlers as partners with respect, admiration and love. Thank you for taking Luke in and loving him! 

That is so warming of a story and thank you to your husband.   The day I brought him home He had his head on my shoulder all the way like.....Thank you for saving me.

 

Our first training was aggression training.    He was unadoptable because he was tagged a aggressive.

He got a bad wrap.   

 

He really wasn't aggressive.   The trouble with a Golden is everyone wants to touch and pet them never thinking any dog could have issues.   If someone reached toward him he would go at them like he going to tear their wrist off.... but would never even touch his teeth..    He was saying ----DON'T BEAT ME!

 

Aggression class was with a couple Pit Bulls, Luke and a Basset Hound.    The Basset Hound was actually the most aggressive an cracked me up because you just don't expect that either.   To be allowed to remove his muzzle in Public he needed a clean bill from the trainer.    First two classes were without our dogs and basically a dog psychology course and training us as trainers.   For the first class with the dogs -  A large supply of a treat your dog had never had before so they recognized that treat with your chosen reward word (any word any language).   We choose YES!   Next rule you could not feed your dog for 2 days prior to class so they were anxious for the reward and would not fill up before the class was over.

 

Initially we would walk around a loop with screens between us and only a foot gap in the screen.   Again she was training us the trainers to recognize the first sign of aggression when the fur lifts, or ears stand up or twitch... each animal has different ques.   Once a dog has gone into attack mode all you could do is deescalation techniques.

 

By graduation we could walk up to a class mate put our dogs down and have a conversation and they just stayed in place... it was amazing..     After that we were on our own to use the same training for specific issues each animal may have.

 

Luke was so calm that if you held a treat or something he would just nibble it out of your fingers and never even touch your fingers.     He came so far and so quick it was such a joy.

 

I hadn't expected to adopt him but just get him ready to find his forever home.   I then trained him as a service dog and he got his credentials.    By the end of training I called Golden Rescue and said I couldn't give him up and adopted him.   The manager --- said --- good -- we hoped we would sucker you in.    LOL

[Jim_Iain]

27 minutes ago, DUTRAVEL said:

I love your story about Luke - how lucky he was to have found you!

 

Retrievers are very food motivated and that's what make them good service dogs (Henrietta lives to work for food). Studies have been done on this, and about 80% of successful service dogs are missing all or part of a gene that causes them to feel full. My husband claims he is missing the same gene.

 

OK folks.... if you haven't met @Dutravel you have to stop her by jumping in front of her chair..She is the most beautiful person except for Henrietta.    Henrietta is my girlfriend....  BTW Henrietta her icon is her beautiful service companion.  

 

Talking of genes -- our trainer was doing research and ask to take a DNA sample to see if they could isolate one for aggressive dogs. 

 

OK.. I think your husband and I also have the same gene.    I call  myself a grazer ... If there is candy or cookies on a counter I swear they just jump in my hand and then my mouth.   Even if I just ate...

[DUTRAVEL]

7 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

OK folks.... if you haven't met @Dutravel you have to stop her by jumping in front of her chair..She is the most beautiful person except for Henrietta.    Henrietta is my girlfriend....  BTW Henrietta her icon is her beautiful service companion.  

Thanks Jim - hopefully our cruising paths will cross again!

[Jim_Iain]

8 hours ago, Lena11033 said:

Cosmopolitan. Everyone there seemed to be struggling compared to Tuscan and Cyprus. I ended up after trying all four staying with Cyprus. I mean the sommelier never turned up but at least the food did 

Are you guys still at sea?   If so scan this QR Code I think it is on Day Two Celebrity Today -

 

You can send your comments either by identify yourself or I believe anonymous and it goes directly to the Hotel Director.    While they may not respond it is heard and addressed.    I complimented our Watier - Sonny and Assistant Waiter -  the remarkable Marcus from Brazil and the next day they thanked us and said it was announced at staff meeting... they also get a coupon for compliments to use in the ships store.

 

 

Edited April 25, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, jrmende63 said:

 Jim,

We have a spoiled Golden retriever. Manassas. She is a dark red and a mess! Your story of Luke nearly brought me to tears. But I am so glad he has you and Iain to love on him. Thank you for rescuing him. 

 

Luke turned into the most beautiful imaginable Golden -   His undercoat was blonde and his outer Red giving him almost a frosted look.   Women would stop me in the street and say what I would pay a hair dresser to do my hair like that.    I grew long but not fluffy with wings that would flag in a breeze.    Of course you know that takes a lot of combing and ----- cleaning all the tumble weeds of dog hair.    I would have to clean the hair out of my Rumba 3-4 times to just do a room.  Wasn't worth the bother... Even the Dysan would need emptying 2-3 times per room.  

 

We just called him Mr. Hollywood

 

[Jim_Iain]

35 minutes ago, hcat said:

Price of fresh fish in Fl..w  coast is sky high!  Much more than beef

Now that really surprises me..   I was blown away by Lamb Prices in California recently -- I picked up a Rack recently and it was over $60.    I gingerly but it back down. 

 

When we lived in Ireland Lamb was cheaper than beef and the most expensive was Turkey.    We would eat Lamb Burgers ----- That brings back memories..   They use to have Lamb and Hamburgers in Luminae.    I loved the lamb but....sob.... they went away many years ago.

 

[terrydtx]

3 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Now that really surprises me..   I was blown away by Lamb Prices in California recently -- I picked up a Rack recently and it was over $60.    I gingerly but it back down. 

 

When we lived in Ireland Lamb was cheaper than beef and the most expensive was Turkey.    We would eat Lamb Burgers ----- That brings back memories..   They use to have Lamb and Hamburgers in Luminae.    I loved the lamb but....sob.... they went away many years ago.

 

bought a rack of lamb at Costco today for $14.95 lb about what it had been for over a year.

[Jim_Iain]

37 minutes ago, Lastdance said:

Well Jim, we have followed your path to Bermuda, as two individuals needed to get off for medical care.  We just got into port, so they are being transferred to the hospital...hoping both will be okay , as I do not know their conditions.

 

Now, Beyond is going to Azores, its first port.  Today is only day two of our journey, filled with rain, but the sun is supposed to return after we embark in a few minutes heading on a slightly different course.  Our captain just said that he will try to get us as close to port as possible, but he may be a degree off; love his sense of humor...Captain D, one of the brothers moving to Ascent!  After degrees, it is “minutes,” so a degree off may put us in the Bermuda Triangle...or not!

 

Thank you -  Thank you ---  I've been dawdling far to much and that 3X shot of Cappuccino followed by a double at breakfast has left me flying.... In port Iain even said.... how many shots of coffee have you had today.....  I can't shut you up....  LOL

 

I didn't hear about the two off the ship for medical.  Are you on Apex?     Sorry I can't keep track of myself let alone everyone I've met.    Of course we didn't pull back the curtains until 9:15.    I know they had at least two Star Codes yesterday but the staff keep it quiet.   I'll see what I can find out.

 

 

[hcat]

5 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

John,    I'm much the same,  in fact due to @GenerationX wonderful food reviews I did something I've never done before and order a steak on the first Lunch instead of either the Luminea burger or Lobster roll.     It was delicious, flavorful and cooked to perfection.

I mostly eat fish on ships for two reason - 

 

First because Luminae has always had Fish Chefs that really know what they are doing

 

Second I have no self control and what lands on my plate ends in my stomach - whether I'm hungry or not... Just like my Golden Retriever -

 

I compare myself to Luke, our retriever because of what the Vet taught me.   We rescued Luke with a police escort.   He was a police dog that the officer was abusing, both physically and emotionally.    His family had 4 little Poodle/Chinaware mix that were indoor dogs.   Luke was banished to the outside and would sit at the window and watch them play.   Out of boredom he was acting out and chewing and destroying the patio furniture -- things dogs do when bored.

 

HIs biggest issue was he was a cadaver searcher BUT he was terrified of Gun Shot and Lightning the officer was trying to beat the fear out of him.  He had stopped eating  and lost most of his hair and was down to 35 pounds.   They brought him out and put him in the back seat of the car - I had the seats down so plenty of space.     I still remember on the 1 hour drive home he put his head on my shoulder and kept it there -    Having hair like a butch cut -  it tickle and he had me laughing. 

 

OK.... as usually I'm getting long winded in my tale.      First day It took me 30 minutes to get him in the house because I guess he had always been beaten if he went into the house.   That's when we learned how much training he was going to need    He peed on the floor and I realized it made sense.   If he had never been allowed in a house how would he know not to.   I hugged him and said -  Luke (his original name) no you do that outside ---- took him out and when he peed I have him a single treat.   He looked at me and said with those sad eye  --- I didn't know.     Done --- he never peed on the floor again. 

 

Finally to the subject of this rambling post.     I took him to the vet as he wasn't eating.    The most wonderful vet in the world.   He taught me a bit about dog psychology.    This is going to sound really counter intuitive.   Put a bowl down with 2 Cups of dry food.   Only leave it for 5 minutes.    If he doesn't eat it pick it up and put on the counter until next meal time.  

 

Dogs when they eat will just cram food quickly and don't know when they are full to stop.   Took two meals until the third disappeared in 30 seconds...  That's how I eat.   What ever  you put in front of me or leave on the counter like snacks...   Hand Mouth without any self control.     That's also why I never ask the butler to leave anything.

 

Finally -  Doc told us to bring him up to 78 pounds - ideal weight for his small boy Golden frame.   We got him their and kept him at his ideal weight his whole life.    I got too close to him and when he died it destroyed me and have never replaced or allowed myself to get that close to a dog again

 

The day I picked him up

What a beautiful soul!   The story is  a sad one...with a happier ending thanks to you.

 

We have had many cats over the years but our Bootsie was special.  She showed up during a snowstorm one Christmas Eve.  She banged at the door,  came right inside and  apparently planned to  never leave,  We learned she had been shot several times with pellets,,not a great life up to that point,.  She only trusted one human..my dh. We treated her like a Queen.,,she gave us a beautiful litter of kittens one St  Patties Day.  Years later, One of them stayed by her side until she passed..glad we were able to give her a better life than she had in the woods!

 

Pets are family, unconditional love!

[DaKahuna]

Jim,

 

just a quick not to say while it is not shown on the menu, our favorite Affocado is still available at Cafe al Bacio on Millie.  As always I get mine with a shot of Bailey’s.

 

[Essiesmom]

From Bermuda cam

 

 

[hcat]

49 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

That is so warming of a story and thank you to your husband.   The day I brought him home He had his head on my shoulder all the way like.....Thank you for saving me.

 

Our first training was aggression training.    He was unadoptable because he was tagged a aggressive.

He got a bad wrap.   

 

He really wasn't aggressive.   The trouble with a Golden is everyone wants to touch and pet them never thinking any dog could have issues.   If someone reached toward him he would go at them like he going to tear their wrist off.... but would never even touch his teeth..    He was saying ----DON'T BEAT ME!

 

Aggression class was with a couple Pit Bulls, Luke and a Basset Hound.    The Basset Hound was actually the most aggressive an cracked me up because you just don't expect that either.   To be allowed to remove his muzzle in Public he needed a clean bill from the trainer.    First two classes were without our dogs and basically a dog psychology course and training us as trainers.   For the first class with the dogs -  A large supply of a treat your dog had never had before so they recognized that treat with your chosen reward word (any word any language).   We choose YES!   Next rule you could not feed your dog for 2 days prior to class so they were anxious for the reward and would not fill up before the class was over.

 

Initially we would walk around a loop with screens between us and only a foot gap in the screen.   Again she was training us the trainers to recognize the first sign of aggression when the fur lifts, or ears stand up or twitch... each animal has different ques.   Once a dog has gone into attack mode all you could do is deescalation techniques.

 

By graduation we could walk up to a class mate put our dogs down and have a conversation and they just stayed in place... it was amazing..     After that we were on our own to use the same training for specific issues each animal may have.

 

Luke was so calm that if you held a treat or something he would just nibble it out of your fingers and never even touch your fingers.     He came so far and so quick it was such a joy.

 

I hadn't expected to adopt him but just get him ready to find his forever home.   I then trained him as a service dog and he got his credentials.    By the end of training I called Golden Rescue and said I couldn't give him up and adopted him.   The manager --- said --- good -- we hoped we would sucker you in.    LOL

Our friend fosters  Goldens..falls in love with them over time. 

Not hard to do!

[Mike981]

Great story about Luke and I can certainly understand your pain.

 

My soon to be 30 year old son, got a screaming deal on Bernese Mountain dog when he was in college. "Lady", was absolutely perfect for him. Unfortunately two Christmases ago he had to put her down because of cancer and it rocked our whole family. He hasn't said anything about getting another dog, I am sure he is still working through his grief. Before she passed he made an imprint of her paw and just recently got a tattoo of it on his chest.

 

And no I am NOT crying as I type this, somebody must be cutting onions.

[Jim_Iain]

1 minute ago, terrydtx said:

bought a rack of lamb at Costco today for $14.95 lb about what it had been for over a year.

 

I followed suite.    My darling daughter (ok I wont' say my favorite daughter...shhhh) was left with permanent brain injuries after problems related to a bone marrow transplant.   She coded and was in intensive care for a week and I was within days of have to decided to pull the plug.   Her doctor who I had known for years will all types of rare blood diseases - put his hand on my shoulder and we both cried.   He said you know they think Doctors are so strong skinned -  he then said I've stayed up all night wondering whether we should just have allowed her that last year she had instead of this. 

 

Good news is she recovered -  had a total brain wipeout and had to learn to walk, talk, count money and everything else..  She is mostly recovered and lives alone.   Of course she is on Food stamps... she can't use up her monthly allowance so she said... pickup up some Racks and Filet and help me spend it down or they take the money away.    Guess what I said...   OK   shhhh..

 

We had the first 1/2 of a rack the day before we left on the trip.    Excellent...   Costco does have good meats.

 

One thing I find interesting of Costco is they stock each store to match the demographics of the local market.   We have 4 close by and one is in an area with many middle easterners...  One day when shopping I saw a guy pushing a cart and it had 1/2 a Goat in the cart.   I took a double take and had to go look... sure enough the had a big stand up refrig with Goats in it. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

 

@Lastdance Our butler, Elizer (Eli)   just came by to bring us some snacks... Which I politely declined due to my grazing habits. 

 

I asked about the medical and he said he hadn't heard.   He also said he heard of the 3 star codes over the past 2 days but didn't see any ambulance or hear anything.   It may have also to do with today they had a MAJOR Staff only Drill getting ready for 6 days at sea.    100% of staff had to respond.   They also took the Tenders out to check them out.    I noticed Norwegian did the same.   They had all their tenders off and were doing crazy 8's with 4 or more in each maneuver group.  
 

 

Edited April 25, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Lena11033]

44 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Are you guys still at sea?   If so scan this QR Code I think it is on Day Two Celebrity Today -

 

You can send your comments either by identify yourself or I believe anonymous and it goes directly to the Hotel Director.    While they may not respond it is heard and addressed.    I complimented our Watier - Sonny and Assistant Waiter -  the remarkable Marcus from Brazil and the next day they thanked us and said it was announced at staff meeting... they also get a coupon for compliments to use in the ships store.

 

 

I'm not on now but I did leave feedback, I think I was fair with explaining my issues with that MDR. But I gave a raving review for my waiter and assistant waiter in Cyprus by name with examples of how they went above and beyond for me.

 

 

8 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

One thing I find interesting of Costco is they stock each store to match the demographics of the local market.   We have 4 close by and one is in an area with many middle easterners...  One day when shopping I saw a guy pushing a cart and it had 1/2 a Goat in the cart.   I took a double take and had to go look... sure enough the had a big stand up refrig with Goats in it. 

 

I haven't seen goat here but I've seen 1/2 a lamb in the fridges here - I like lamb but there is just two of us (six if you count the dogs)

 

[Jim_Iain]

25 minutes ago, hcat said:

What a beautiful soul!   The story is  a sad one...with a happier ending thanks to you.

 

We have had many cats over the years but our Bootsie was special.  She showed up during a snowstorm one Christmas Eve.  She banged at the door,  came right inside and  apparently planned to  never leave,  We learned she had been shot several times with pellets,,not a great life up to that point,.  She only trusted one human..my dh. We treated her like a Queen.,,she gave us a beautiful litter of kittens one St  Patties Day.  Years later, One of them stayed by her side until she passed..glad we were able to give her a better life than she had in the woods!

 

Pets are family, unconditional love!

 

That is so sweet.   All our Retriever Breed owner here will know this but Retriever's often bond really heavy with One Person and they become your absolute shadow which makes them such good service and companion dogs.

 

Luke and I bonded.    He lived a fantastic life and went from healthy to suddenly one day he couldn't get up and I had to keep him hydrated with gator aid and a turkey baster.   Next morning I took him in and the Doctor said I can do a lot of tests but  I find that most owners can look into their dogs eye and know when it's time. ... I said it was time.   I sat in the floor with the doctor and had my hand on his heart... The doctor said the vain had blown out and she needed to start a new one -  I shook my head no and said I could feel his heart stop.   

 

I just wish they would allow us to do that to humans.   That's sure the way I would want to go.  

[Jim_Iain]

1 minute ago, Lena11033 said:

I'm not on now but I did leave feedback, I think I was fair with explaining my issues with that MDR. But I gave a raving review for my waiter and assistant waiter in Cyprus by name with examples of how they went above and beyond for me.

 

 

I haven't seen goat here but I've seen 1/2 a lamb in the fridges here - I like lamb but there is just two of us (six if you count the dogs)

 

 

OK.. We would go for the Lamb.   Iain being a Scot makes dishes with parts of a sheep that none of even want to know about.   Even Lamb's Kidney's are hard to come by --- You can't make a proper Steak and Kidney pie without then.    I have to order them frozen at a 10 Kg. minimum.  

[Jim_Iain]

30 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

Jim,

 

just a quick not to say while it is not shown on the menu, our favorite Affocado is still available at Cafe al Bacio on Millie.  As always I get mine with a shot of Bailey’s.

 

 

John -- your mean..  LOL.    Can you FedEx me on.    They told me if I pickup the Gelato they will make me one.

[Lastdance]

14 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

@Lastdance Our butler, Elizer (Eli)   just came by to bring us some snacks... Which I politely declined due to my grazing habits. 

 

I asked about the medical and he said he hadn't heard.   He also said he heard of the 3 star codes over the past 2 days but didn't see any ambulance or hear anything.   It may have also to do with today they had a MAJOR Staff only Drill getting ready for 6 days at sea.    100% of staff had to respond.   They also took the Tenders out to check them out.    I noticed Norwegian did the same.   They had all their tenders off and were doing crazy 8's with 4 or more in each maneuver group.  
 

 

We were told that 2 passengers were disembarking due to a ‘Medical Alert.” Hopefully, more information will be forthcoming, as nothing that I can see is happening. Nothing else seems to be around us.  Captain said it would take about two hours.  

Edited April 25, 2023 by Lastdance

[Jim_Iain]

28 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

From Bermuda cam

 

 

 

You need to pan a little to the left....  We are not visible but first cabin next to the Captains and the Bridge.