The Captain Watched the Harbor, but One Ear Was on Dinner
Far behind the captain, a tiny harbor opens onto the sea, with ships at anchor under soft Renaissance skies. In the foreground a Dalmatian in a black gold-trimmed tricorn hat looks straight out, his white face splashed with perfectly round black spots. He wears a navy coat with gold braid and a cream cravat that billows like a sail, and his dark eyes are steady and serious. The painter has even dotted a few spots on his ears and chin.
Dalmatians have a long association with travel and carriages. The breed is believed to have trotted beside horse-drawn coaches for miles, and that stamina is still part of their nature. A Dalmatian needs plenty of daily exercise, such as long walks, jogs or hikes, and he can become boisterous if he does not get it. They are also known for being sensitive, so kind, consistent training works best. Puppies are born white, and the spots come in over the first weeks. Dalmatians have a unique tendency toward certain urinary stones, so fresh water and a conversation with your vet about diet are worthwhile. Their short coats shed more than people expect, so a rubber brush helps.
The captain keeps his eyes on the horizon, but one ear is tilted toward the galley, where dinner is being prepared. Soon the anchor will be lifted, and the crew will find that the best voyages always end in a warm spot by the fire.
