Museum of Maritime Pets News

Hatch, HMS Mary Rose

News

For the Spring of 2017, the Museum will present a library program with the Anne Arundel LIbraries featuring "Hero Dogs." We will present our portable exhibit plus tell the story of Nora, a German Shepherd who worked with the Coast Guard during WWII.

During Naval Academy Commissioning Week, the museum hosted "Hatch" from the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, U.K. Hatch was the ratter and mascot aboard HMS Mary Rose, one of Henry VIII's flagships. The ship sank in 1545 and when excavated in the late 20th c, a dog's skeleton was found. Hatch is now a spokesdog and goodwill ambassador for his museum.

The Museum hosts an annual in-water beach demo day. If you are interested in participating, your dog must be a known working water breed, and must demonstrate a skill or set of skills. You can bring your own dinghy. The event is held at a private marina in Pasadena MD.

In past years, particpating breeds have included Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Short-haired Pointer, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dogs and Yellow Lab. If you would like to participate this Fall, contact us!

In 2016, we started circulating an exhibit on loan to us from the CFB Esquimalt Museum in Victoria BC, Canada. "Creature Comforts" features ships' mascots and companions from the late 19th c through the late 20th c. This exhibit is available to borrow through the late Summer of 2017.

In 2015, we were interviewed on one foreign and several national radio programs, and were featured in the Boating Times, Smithsonian Online Magazine, and the Washington Post. We contribute to several blogs on an invitation basis, and maintain an active exchange of information and images via social media.

We welcome your inquiries!

410-829-6616 or email: info@museumofmaritimepets.org

In 2014 our maritime pets exhibit "All Paws on Deck" traveled to the Ocean City MD Lifesaving Station Museum. That Museum combines local history with the story of the Coast Guard, which once used the building as its coastal headquarters for the Maryland shore. Part of the exhibit featured a replica of a Titanic lifeboat and the pets who were aboard that ship on its fateful voyage in 1912.

This exhibit generated extensive publicity and made several local appearances throughout Maryland. It is now being retrofitted for durability and ease of travel to other institutions beyond our state.

Newfie Leo towing in a stranded swimmer

In honor of the Americans with Disabilities Act's 25th anniversary in 2015, we visited and had an extensive interview with a live-aboard Service Dog and his owner. Service dogs and cats sail around the world to help their humans live fun and fulfilling lives. Many have blogs and websites.

Our annual charity golf tournament held its fifth tournament this year, with an added Virtual Tournament option for people not living near Annapolis. This year's champion was Jane Hixson of Reston VA.

Last summer, we interviewed Rosie, a black labrador who is the mascot of Coast Guard Station Annapolis. Rosie keeps things moving smoothly at the Station, and she also provides hospitality services!

Ray L and Scott R

Jane Hixson sharing her win

C.G. Station Annapolis mascot Rosie and Handler BM1 Abels

The Museum's archives include a groundbreaking interview on NPR's Animal House program, aired in 2010 by WAMU, a Washington D.C. station. We have also appeared consistently in the Annapolis newspaper Capital Gazette, featuring our activities or exhibits throughout the years.

In 2015 we partnered with Anne Arundel Volunteer Center to advance our mission with the help of talented community members. This Fall an Army service member from Fort Meade will help widen our social media outreach efforts. We are also fortunate to continue our Service Learning Program relationship with Anne Arundel Community College, and have also sponsored volunteers and interns from St. John's College. These projects further our mission as well as provide learning opportunities for the students and volunteers involved.