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SOUTH EAST CRUISING SCHOOL

I am belatedly putting together a book of Peppers adventures as he shared his wonderful life with me over 81/2 fun filled and adventurous years, both on land and at sea. He was my best mate but a great pal to many of our customers too. See below for more details and a link to a teaser chapter to give you an idea of him. Charlie Kavanagh

PEPPER   R.I.P.

he passed away on 4^th Aug 2003 at 9 1/2 yrs

(still missing you after all these years…..)

King of the Saltees on his Throne

He was a typical example of an Irish Goathound - see his sample story below.

• The REAL "Salty Dog" used to join most trips to help dispose of scraps and offer his special TLC services for those suffering from "mal de mer". A real character, he loved to be involved in sailing the boat, keeping crew members warm, visiting neighbouring boats, downing a pint or two (milk or water!!) and catching up on old pals - canine and human in many of the ports/clubs we visited. He came to me from the WSPCA dog sanctuary at Sharpeshill, Glenealy, Co Wicklow in 1995 and immediately took to life afloat, with many exciting adventures and escapades along the way. Irish Goathounds are renowned for their gentle nature, loyalty, vigilance, guarding their patch, herding of mountain goats (Wicklow is famous as the "County of Goatsuckers") and canine cuteness. Pepper was a classic example of the Breed. Informed opinion tells me that he was also very similar to a Petit Bassett de Fontaine (not that posh was his style!!). What a pity he was the one and only Irish Goathound to ever exist!  

"Charlie and Me"

a new book by Pepper,

chronicling his dog life with his master

(hoping to go to print later in 2011)

            Having passed away, leaving a huge void on planet Earth, Pepper found a new role as a Goodwill Spirit Ambassador in the afterlife. Have completed his training on Mars, he has now written an account of his life as a dog, which hopefully will help to make people smile. Part of his mission, through recounting his experiences, is to get people to look at their own lives and learn from their mistakes.

        He had many ups and downs, shared good and bad times with me, his master, but through it all, he always managed to be Pepper, a unique canine character. He had many friends on board and on both sides of the Irish Sea and wherever he went, people still enquire about him 8 years after he passed on. Nothing fazed him, he was curious about everything and he had an aptitude for finding the sick or poorly human in our midst, on whom he would dispense his T.L.C. Whether it was a seasick crew member or a sad or troubled landlubber, Pepper came to their side to offer comfort and consolation. There was a lot of fun wherever he went also - the stories are legion about him.

        His book will be a mix of both of our lives while he was with me, seen from his perspective. A small element of the book will be fictional but largely autobiographical as told to his interpreter, Skratcher O Fleazy, an Earth medium for the spirit world. Throughout the story, other spirits contribute comment and advice as his life story unfolds. Having passed from their own mortal state, his spirit colleagues include KRYBIX, a two headed creature from the Andromeda galaxy and earthlings, Elizabeth (Boozy Betty), the Queen Mother and Herby, a python snake. Many of the real life characters in the book are still with us and hopefully will enjoy reading about the experiences of this powerful ambassador for rescued animals. Read this chapter on our purchase and delivery of Saltee Dog.

This 1^st episode of his adventures is dedicated to my Dad, Simon J. Kavanagh, who sadly passed away on 8^th January 2003, one of his greatest fans. Pepper, who shared the same birthday with Daddy, passed away in the same year also. R.I.P. to them both - they are mates up yonder.

• Toesun came on board in October 2003 (from Sharpeshill also) and has a big job on his paws to follow the Legendary Pepper. He is a lovable character, with a gentle nature (don't ask the Postman) – he has settled in well and is a cuddly crew mate. Now in 2011, he with me almost as long as Pepper - but there is no comparison. One is a pal, the other was a soulmate.

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