SEAMANSHIP in a Nutshell

SEAMANSHIP in a Nutshell

An Apocryphal Story

A Naval Yarn

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Once upon a time there was a famous sea captain, a veteran sea dog.

This renowned captain was very successful at seafaring and for many years he guided ships all over the world.

Never did stormy seas or pirates get the best of him.

He was admired by his crew and fellow captains.

However, this captain had one idiosyncrasy.

Every time he came to the bridge of his ship, the captain used to do a strange thing.

He would take out a small envelope from his breast pocket. 

From this envelope he would take out a small card.

He would stare at the card for a minute.

Then he would put the card back into the envelope and thereafter place the small envelope back into his breast pocket. 

After this quick ritual, he would take charge and go about his command duties on his ship.

For years this went on and on and became a legend.

His officers and crew became very curious as to what was written on the card their captain read every time he came on the bridge.

Was it some naval formula? Was it some secret code? Was it some religious verse? Was it some inspirational quote? Was it some secret code? Was it a treasure map? Was it the name of his long lost love?

Everyone speculated about the contents of the strange envelope but no one dared ask the awe-inspiring redoubtable captain.

One day the captain collapsed on the bridge and died at sea.

After laying the captain’s body to rest, the first mate (curiously watched by the crew) took out the small envelope from the captain’s breast pocket.

He opened the envelope and took out the mysterious card. 

As he looked at the card the first mate was dumbfounded. For a few moments he just stared at the card in shocked silence.

Then he showed the card to the curious officers and crew.

Just Four Words were written on the paper in red and green – two lines, with two words on each line, written in capital letters, as shown below:

PORT LEFT

STARBOARD RIGHT

WATCH DOG GUARD DOG LAP DOG - Which One Do You Want

WATCH DOG GUARD DOG LAP DOG

Which One Do You Want

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Basically, a dog can be a WATCH DOG, a GUARD DOG or a LAP DOG.

A WATCH DOG will bark first and may or may not bite or attack. 

The job of a Watch Dog is to bark and raise an alarm when a stranger enters your house or property. In fact, even many small breeds make great watch dogs.

A GUARD DOG will attack the intruder immediately – Good Guard Dogs bite first and ask questions later. 

The job of a Guard Dog is to look intimidating and act in a ferocious manner and be ready to protect his family and territory if the need arises by attacking any trespassers.

Both Guard Dogs and Watch Dogs bark to alert their owners of an intruder’s presence and scare away the intruder. 

The Watch Dog’s job ends here, whereas a Guard Dog is capable of attacking the intruder should he trespass. 

Some breeds are excellent Watch Dogs but not good Guard Dogs because they bark loudly to alert their masters of intruders but are not aggressive in nature and are not given to assertive behavior. They bark but hesitate to attack and bite when required to do so.

That is why Guard Dogs must look tough and menacing and be ferocious in nature and also they must not hesitate to attack a trespasser. 

Watch Dogs must raise an alarm and frighten off the trespasser. Even small but attentive dogs may function well as Watch Dogs.

A LAP DOG is an adoring pet who would gladly spend the entire day in his owners lap. 

Lap Dogs are cuddly and affectionate, many dog owners who pine for love prefer to have a Lap Dog.

So which type of pet dog do you want? 

Remember, when you select a puppy, take care that you select the right breed for the type of dog you want, for the cute puppy may actually turn into a ferocious dog.

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this blog post?
I am sure you will like the 27 fiction short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL 
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

  

ARE YOU A DOG LOVER - Pet Parenting Guide

PET PARENTING GUIDE - Bringing Up a Doberman X

PET PARENTING GUIDE

Bringing Up a Doberman X

By

VIKRAM KARVE

A few years ago a cute little baby Doberman X Caravan (Mudhol) Hound girl came into my life. We named her Sherry, Sherry Karve, and she brought a flood of happiness in our lives and I have enjoyed the best moments of my life with my best friend Sherry.  From her father she has acquired the sleek body, swift run, fearless nature, and sight and scent skills of a Hound, but she displays typical Doberman attributes like her pure Doberman mother – best of both breeds.  

Sherry - an alert smile

My Canine Daughter's Name & Age:

Name: Sherry Karve. Age: Hey, you don’t ask a girl her age…!

In a Word, My Cute Doberman Girl Is:

Loyal, Loving, Strong, Fearless, Fit, Agile, Intelligent, Protective Friend

Her Best Characteristics:

Highly Intelligent, Easily Trained, Superb Guard Dog, Playful Active Loving

Her Most Challenging Characteristics:

One-man dog, does not like to be left alone, she has a very aggressive temperament, especially with cats, other dogs, and intruders who try to enter her “territory”, a Doberman needs firm handling at times.

DOBERMAN ATTRIBUTES

Highly intelligent and active, a bit headstrong, needs firm handling, superb guard dog, very protective of her family and territory, fearless, loyal, playful, wary of strangers and children, very easily trained, responds beautifully, needs lots of exercise, loves long walks, vigorous games, hates to be left alone and wants to be a part of the family, loves human company, a fantastic friend and devoted companion, robust and redoubtable.

Sherry - Nosey Nosey

DOBERMAN PARENTING

You must be physically fit and ready for outdoor exercise (playing and long walks) with your dog. Also you must be mentally agile and young at heart to interact with your dog who will demand a lot of your attention.

You must have plenty of space, a bungalow with a large playing area and a garden. In case you live in a flat, you must have the time, inclination and energy to take your Doberman for brisk long walks at least twice a day to a nearby ground for some vigorous exercise and also play rough and tough indoor games like TUG OF WAR 

http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2011/01/stress-management-by-playing-with-your.html

Sherry and her Bone

You must devote at least three hours a day exclusively for the dog, follow regular routine without exception and give mental stimulation to your Doberman by playing with her and talking to her. Yes, a Doberman is a highly intelligent dog who loves interaction and is always on the alert waiting for you to communicate and she will always try to communicate too. So make sure you talk a lot with your Doberman.

Talk to Me

Doberman is a one-owner dog, likes company of master, is overly protective of master and territory, hates loneliness. You must avoid leaving your dog alone in a flat (a bungalow in the compound is okay) and if you have to do so, talk to your dog, train her to be alone, and do so for the minimum time. Your dog will wait for you (even in a Bungalow) - and when you come will welcome you and want all your attention.

A Doberman is a superb Guard Dog and certainly not a very friendly cuddly dog for children and visitors. However a Doberman will shower the master with love, will demand love from her master and ask to be cuddled and fondled by the master.

Does not like strangers, cats, other dogs and children, and is always ready to attack intruders. A Doberman has a ferocious and aggressive nature and is suspicious of strangers and that is why it makes such a good guard dog. A good guard dog attacks and bites before it barks whereas a good watch dog first barks and then bites. 

Having a Doberman is not advisable for families with small children. If you have small kids it may be best to go in for a more docile and friendly breed like Labrador or maybe a smaller breed.

Highly intelligent and easy to train. (I trained her to fetch the newspaper in just a couple of minutes - see the picture below). Always needs mental stimulation so you must play lots of “brainy” games like “bone game” and keep “talking” to your pet dog both verbal and non-verbal communication.

Sherry - fetching the morning newspaper

Sherry is an Ideal Companion and a very Loyal Friend

A Doberman requires companionship and hates to be left alone. So I take Sherry along whenever possible - the back-seat of the car has been done up and reserved for her. You will also have to adjust your social life. Since I take Sherry for walks in the mornings and evenings I cannot take on commitments during that time (especially I avoid evening social functions as I have to prepare Sherry's dinner and feed her in the evening after her long walk and exercise). If you really want to look after your dog properly you will have to give your dog a lot of your time every day on a regular basis and this will entail curtailing your social life.

A Doberman requires firm handling and lots of playing and physical activity.

Also a Doberman tends to be a highly loyal “one-man dog” and loves me more than the other family members and even gets jealous at times and growls at my wife if she gets too close, especially during our play sessions. Sometimes a Doberman may not like someone else getting to close to the master (or mistress) so be careful and don’t take your Doberman along with you on that mushy romantic date.

A Doberman is a very low maintenance dog. The only grooming you need to is to give her a nice bath once a fortnight followed by a nice vigorous brushing. She is a very clean dog who grooms and licks herself clean every evening.

So tell me, do you want to get a Doberman into your life? 

And if you do, please don’t dock her tail or crop her ears as I think it is a cruel thing to do.

Also, let me tell you that a mixed breed or stray mongrel is more tough, immune to diseases and resilient than pure breed dogs, and properly groomed and trained they make excellent pets. So if you see a stray pup in need of rescue in your neighborhood, just go ahead and adopt it, inoculate and immunize the dog, give it your love, look after it and you will be surprised at how much loyalty and love you get in return.

Bow Wow.

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this blog post?
I am sure you will like the 27 fiction short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL 
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH UNKNOWN DOGS

HOW TO DEAL WITH UNKNOWN DOGS

Never try to touch an unknown dog. Especially do not try to put your hand on the dog’s head or try to pet the dog.

When meeting a new dog, let the dog to come to you, explore you and smell you. Let the dog sniff your hand.

Do not try to hug or caress or cuddle an unknown dog or get too close to the dog’s face.  

Observe the dog’s body language. A dog will show specific warning signs before attacking or biting, like raised hackles with stiff tail, growling sound or vicious bark, bared teeth or a fearful scared look with tail down and bared teeth.

Do not disturb a dog when the dog is eating or sleeping. Do not go near a female dog feeding her puppies.  She will be protective and may try to attack you.

Never leave a dog, especially an unknown dog, with your small children.

If a dog is injured, and is not letting you approach by growling or show of aggression, do not try to touch the injured dog. Call a veterinary doctor for help.

WHY DOGS BITE

Click the link below and read the article - WHY DOGS BITE

http://www.cesarsway.com/askthevet/dogwellness/Dog-Bites-101-Why-Bites-Happen%20

If you have a dog, do remember the tips.

WHICH TYPE OF DOG DO YOU WANT

WHICH TYPE OF DOG DO YOU WANT

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Basically, a dog can be a WATCH DOG, a GUARD DOG or a LAP DOG.

A WATCH DOG will bark first and may or may not bite or attack. The job of a Watch Dog is to bark and raise an alarm when a stranger enters your house or property. In fact, even many small breeds make great watch dogs.

A GUARD DOG will attack the intruder immediately – Good Guard Dogs bite first and ask questions later. The job of a Guard Dog is to look intimidating and act in a ferocious manner and be ready to protect his family and territory if the need arises by attacking any trespassers.

Both Guard Dogs and Watch Dogs bark to alert their owners of an intruder's presence and scare away the intruder. The Watch Dog’s job ends here, whereas a Guard Dog is capable of attacking the intruder should he trespass. Some breeds are excellent Watch Dogs but not good Guard Dogs because they bark loudly to alert their masters of intruders but are not aggressive in nature and are not given to assertive behavior. That is why whereas Guard Dogs must look tough and menacing and be ferocious in nature, even small but attentive dogs may function well as Watch Dogs.

A LAP DOG is an adoring pet who would gladly spend the entire day in his owners lap. Lap Dogs are cuddly and affectionate, many dog owners who pine for love prefer to have a Lap Dog.

So which type of pet dog do you want?

VIKRAM KARVE