4 Legged 5 Star Mariner

[HAL-4-me-1952]

 

 

First service animal to reach platinum status.

 

https://cruiseradio.net/service-dog-celebrates-over-700-cruise-days/

 

[canadianbear]

I’ve followed along with Joska-amazing dog.  Quite something to have that many days on HAL ships.  

[BetsyS.]

Congratulations to Joska!!!!  

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Life time achievement 700 days 

700 dog days. = (4900)

[ger_77]

Joska is an amazing dog with quite a travel history.  I do feel bad for her, however, as she will be retiring after they get home.  From what I understand, she will go to another home and will be replaced by a younger service dog.  I hope she doesn’t feel she’s being abandoned by her owners after being in their lives for so long.  

[FlaMariner]

I wonder what Joska thinks about doing his business on that small green astro turf mat on the promenade deck walk?

[dot73]

If HAL had an award for the best-behaved guests, the service dogs for the visually impaired would win every time.🦮

[dot73]

1 hour ago, ger_77 said:

Joska is an amazing dog with quite a travel history.  I do feel bad for her, however, as she will be retiring after they get home.  From what I understand, she will go to another home and will be replaced by a younger service dog.  I hope she doesn’t feel she’s being abandoned by her owners after being in their lives for so long.  

When their dog retires, some of the owners keep the dogs as family pets. I have also read about K-9 police officers and airport K-9 custom officers also adopting the dogs when they retire.

[O2cruise21]

Had the honor of sharing some thermal suite time w Joska aboard the premiere voyage of Nieuw Statendam in ‘18. 
She is one of the most beautiful affectionate animals I have ever met and her owners lovely, lovely people. 

[Banditswife]

That is a really cool story.  I've seen a few service animals on cruises, they always seem welcomed by crew & guests alike.

[puppycanducruise]

Congrats Joska.  May you continue to sail many more years.

[Greysandy]

It's nice to see a real service dog on the ships. I was on a cruise where a woman in a scooter brought her fake one, a shih-tzu, fed it from the table and then let it bark at people walking by. Service dogs are not fed from the table! I'm still trying to convince my father in law this for his dog that he bought a "service dog license" off the internet for $100.