Chevy Gets Even With Gertie

I've posted before about how Gertie terrorizes all the other animals aboard Drift Away.   When Charlie (the three legged cat) walks by, you can bet that Gertie will pounce on him, holding him around his neck knowing that if he lifts a paw, he will fall over.   If one of the dogs is happy and wagging its tail, Gertie views it as toy and grabs it with claws and fangs.   Chevy, the big male pit bull, is especially afraid of Gertie, and any attempt to assert himself as the alpha male resulted in a swat on the kisser.  Well, last night Chevy got even.

We got back from a long, hectic day of running errands.   Pam cooked up a nice meat loaf dinner, and afterwards I suggested we go up to the Castleton Boat Club's clubhouse for a cocktail and some socializing.   Halfway there, Ruby started whining at us.   The two dogs were sitting on the bow watching us heading up to the club.   Pam went back to lock them inside and I went up to the club to order the drinks.  Upon arrival, one of the members asked "Are you the guy who was just walking the two pit bulls?".   Yes, that was me.   "Go get them!   We love dogs here!".    Ummmm....  I dunno if that's a good idea.  They're very playful and...   "We don't mind.  Go get the dogs!".   Bugsie, a very nice beagle/terrier mix looking dog was in there and it looked like it might be OK.   Well... Okaaay...

I met Pam part way as she was coming up the docks.

"They say to bring the dogs."

"What?  Our dogs?"

"Yep."

"You know what they're like."

"They don't care. The people in there are all dog people and they want to meet the dogs."

So we got the now very happy dogs and brought them into the clubhouse.   Ruby and Chevy saw Bugsie and all hell  broke loose.   There was running and playing and wrestling and prancing.   I started to yell at them, but was told in no uncertain terms that it was just fine.   They all like dogs.  The club doesn't even have a leash requirement.  So the dogs played and we relaxed.

We did the usual boater thing of "where are you from" and "where are you going".   We also told them that we were getting married on Saturday and that we would be gone most of Friday and, of course, Saturday.   "Don't worry about the dogs.   We'll come get them and take them off the boat."   Wonderful!

We had a very enjoyable time.   I've only been here a few times, but every time I've met only very nice people.   What a great club.

It was getting late and we had much to do, so we excused ourselves and walked the dogs down to the boat, off leash.   We were getting close, and then Chevy saw Gertie on the dock, exploring as she likes to do in new places.   For some reason known only to Gertie, she turned and ran towards the boat.   To a dog, anything that is running away is prey, and Chevy took off like a shot after her.   Gertie must have paniced and timed her leap to the boat wrong, because we heard a KERSPLASH!  

DAVID!!  GERTIE FELL IN THE WATER!   QUICK, DO SOMETHING!

We both looked and didn't see her.   Was she under the dock?   Under the boat?  Pam ran aboard to get a flashlight.   Which way was the current flowing?  Even though it's a river, it flows both ways depending on the tide.  I ran up to the bow and got on my hands and knees, but no Gertie.   Then to my left I saw a paw come over the dock and set claws into the wood.   Then another, and then Gertie was on the dock looking like a... well... a scrawny wet young cat.

SHE'S OK.  SHE'S ON THE DOCK...  not for long as she scampered up the steps and onto the boat, and inside and dove under the sofa.   A pool of water came oozing out from underneath.   Pam was laughing hysterically.   She pulled the sofa out and managed to grab Gertie and wrapped her up in a towel.   Gertie looked very angry.  

Chevy, do NOT chase Gertie!

Chevy smiled back at me.