While all of the entries were compelling, Dianne’s entry detailing Phoenix and Lily’s rocky beginnings stood out amongst the 40-plus entries as being the most deserving. Watching Phoenix and Lily enjoy the warm December day out on the Gulf, it is unthinkable that these beautiful, fun-loving dogs were once as far from the lap of luxury as one could get—the gutter.
Dianne found him lying half-dead in a kennel next to the euthanasia room, but like his namesake, Phoenix seemed to rise from the ashes even as death lingered a hairsbreadth away.
As Dianne drew nearer, Phoenix started wagging his tail, slapping it against the stainless steel cage. A volunteer photographer of adoptable dogs with First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Dianne was accustomed to working around animals, and was no stranger to the harsh realities of shelter life. Yet she could not hold back tears once she met the emaciated Phoenix and learned about the hardships he’d endured, including eating sticks and leaves to survive. It would be a year before his weight reached a normal level and all his fur grew back.
Lily, a four year-old Dachshund/Catahoula Leopard Dog mix, is Phoenix’s beloved older sister and Dianne and Nooney’s “first child.” Like Phoenix, Lily’s name signifies her rebirth. She was adopted on Easter, and was thus named for the Easter lily. When Dianne found Lily through an online ad, she discovered that a rescue group had pulled a pregnant Lily from the pound. Since they could not deliver puppies at the pound, Lily and her unborn pups were going to be euthanized. After giving birth, Lily found herself without a home. It was a happy coincidence that Dianne and Nooney were looking to expand their own family around the same time.
Like Dianne and Nooney, yacht owners Tony and Anne harbor a deep-seated love for their “furry children.” Themselves parents of Rat Terriers Calvin, 12, and Chloe, 13, Tony and Anne knew they wanted to do something that could incorporate their entire brood. “Yachting is like our vacation,” Anne said. “We’d rather take our dogs on the boat with us than go anywhere without them. It’s our paradise.”
The Bakers wanted to share their paradise with other dog lovers, and thus began Nauti-Dog Yacht Charters. They customized their yacht for canine passengers by adding a doggie-door and making sure furry guests had plenty of room to roam. The Bakers have found that boating is a very soothing experience for dogs. “It’s therapeutic,” Anne said. “Dogs that were neglected, abused, or nervous—they do great on the boat. They can relax and enjoy it.”
When Dianne discovered her entry in the contest had won, she had no idea how Phoenix or Lily would react to being on the boat. “I’m so proud of them,” Dianne said, reflecting on her earlier worries. “I kept thinking, ‘What if Lily tried to jump over the edge of the boat?’ or ‘What if Phoenix was scared?’ But they loved it.”
As the Nauti-Dog II heads back to the marina, a pod of dolphins suddenly appears off the starboard bow. Phoenix and Lily, like the human passengers, quickly move to get a closer look. The dolphins fall back to jump and frolic in the yacht’s wake, as if inviting everyone to come and play. The irrepressible Lily gives a long, warbling howl, and Phoenix wags his tail, a goofy canine grin on his face. Their joy is a powerful reminder of the day’s real luxury—being together to experience it.
Dog friendly cruises on the Nauti-Dog II start at $199 for a group of up to six adults and six dogs. Call 727.458.3513.
First Coast No More Homeless Pets provides low-cost spay/neuter programs in Jacksonville. Call 904.425.0005.
The Art Of Dog.™ 
Deserving Dogs Win Cruise on Nauti-Dog II was written by Kelly Herson, rover reporter and photographer for THE NEW BARKER dog magazine, a Florida lifestyle magazine devoted to all things dog.