When my parents, Bobby and Wendi Warren, told me I had been asked to write about my experience on Miller’s Ferry from Catawba Island to Put-In-Bay, I was really excited. I never been on a ferry before. What I didn’t realize is that the ferries operated by Miller Boat Line travel across Lake Erie to get to Put-In-Bay (and other destinations. Hey, I am a dog, don’t judge me.)
I probably should explain, water really isn’t my friend. My parents know this because within the first month of adopting me, they took me to a dog swim at Freelander pool in Wooster, Ohio. When they put me in the water, I couldn’t swim fast enough to get out. My cousins Parker and Admiral Nelson have a pool in their backyard (generously given to them by my aunt and uncle, Randi and Shaun), and I don’t like swimming in it. And don’t even get me started on baths! I guess my parents figured taking me on a ferry, I wouldn’t be bothered by the water, but the water seemed to find me anyway.
I’ve come up with a list to help other dogs know what they are getting in for when they are taken to Put-In-Bay by way of a ferry.
What Dogs can Expect When Riding a Ferry
- Here’s the best one: Dogs ride free!
I love it when I can get something for free, don’t you? I’m like my grandpa, Bud, if it’s free, it’s for me! That is definitely a perk on Miller’s Ferries. People have to pay for a ticket to the island and back ($7 each way). Although, Mom and Dad got tickets for free thanks to the nice people at Miller Boat Line. They gave them tickets so they would get to take me on the ferry. But dogs ride free, all the time!
- Expect to wait in line.
When we got to the ferry, there was a long line of people waiting to get onboard. We were about 10 minutes early. I heard Mom tell Dad that the ferries leave Catawba Island on the half hour. I don’t know what that means, but it must have to do with standing in line. I wasn’t sure we’d get on, but everything worked out O.K. In fact we were one of the last ones on before they closed the ramp. I guess we got there just in time! On the way back, we had to wait again. Only this time there was a bench that Mom sat on. I jumped on her lap to wait. Dad didn’t sit down. He must have been holding our place in line.
- Dogs have to ride on the lower deck.
The ferry has two decks. You have to climb steps to the upper deck. I don’t know why, but the sign said dogs must ride on the lower deck. That’s probably good, because I don’t think I would have liked walking up or down the steps at all. I guess probably to keep things moving, they have us four legged riders on the lower deck.
- The boat is loud and the floor vibrates.
I don’t think people really understand this, but dogs will. Standing on the lower deck means you are standing on the floor above the engine. The engine is loud and causes the metal floor to vibrate. For us dogs, that is a new sensation. Everywhere we go, the ground is solid under our four feet. On the ferry the ground vibrates. Just be prepared! Thankfully, on the way back, Mom found a place on the stairs she could sit down and then I jumped up on her lap. To sit there took some of my nervousness away. Only thing is we couldn’t stay there the whole time. People started coming down as the ferry got closer to land. But it was good while it lasted!
- There are a lot of people.
I heard Mom tell dad that this was getting to be close to the end of the season for traveling to Put-In-Bay. So I thought that would mean it wouldn’t be as crowded. But you couldn’t tell it by the number of people on the ferry. When it was time to get off the boat, I couldn’t go as fast as I wanted, because there were tons of people around. Mom had to hold me back so I wouldn’t get trampled or lost in the crowd. I’m a shorter dog, so all I could see were legs. One guy said, “He’s trying to figure out which legs are his.” Mom laughed, but I can’t figure out what he meant. Mom decided to pick me up and carry me through the crowd. I’m sure glad she did!
- You can get wet.
As you saw above, I don’t like getting wet. Well, on a ferry, it is a definite possibility. On our trip to the island, we were at the back of the boat…for a few minutes. That is until the first wave crashed over the side. I got a little wet, but that was enough for me. I headed to the center of the boat, pulling Mom along with me. I found a place where I could feel safer and dryer. It was between a truck and an SUV. I don’t think that is allowed, but nobody yelled at us, so I did it anyway. On the way back from Put-In-Bay, I had learned my lesson and stayed in the center (until Dad and Mom came up with sitting on the steps idea). Dad didn’t learn the lesson. He stayed on the side of the boat. That is until this massive wave came crashing over the side and got his whole backside wet! I would have laughed, but I didn’t think that was nice. He moved to the center after that.
It was a great adventure to take and I am glad I went. If your people get a chance to take you, then do it. Just be prepared for what is in store for you and you’ll be O.K. It’s just a 20 minute ride and it is completely safe. And maybe, if it isn’t too crowded, you can sit on your mom’s lap for a little bit of the ride, too. By the way, Miller’ Boat Line as an interactive map that shows pet friendly locations on Put-In-Bay.
