A Real Saga of “Walt Disney” Proportions: Dog Rescued After Three Months at Sea and Four Months on Pacific Atoll
April 18, 2008
Colorado’s Post-Independent is reporting the successful rescue of a dog named Snickers, who spent three months traveling the ocean in a 48 foot boat then found himself grounded on a small Pacific Atoll for another four months. How did this happen? The dog’s owners, Jerry and Darla Merrow of California, left the pooch stranded after they were rescued off the boat by a passing cargo vessel.
Snickers was finally rescued by the joint efforts of the Hawaiian Human Society, cruise ship workers, and even an airline company who united to discover what ever happened to the dog.
The Hawaiian Humane Society took the lead in the investigation after reading that the dog’s owners had jetted and left him on the boat. They discovered this bit of information from an article published on ‘Lectronic Latitude, an online site for the boating journal Latitude 38.
The Merrow’s didn’t leave the dog on purpose-they were in the midst of their own life or death situation after their boat’s mast began having problems after leaving from California. In December, the boat, with full crew on board, had drifted to Fanning Island–1,000 miles south of Hawaii. The boat hit a reef, leaving the couple little more options than to try to swim to shore. Which they did with dog (and Macaw) in tow.
Upon entering the island the Merrows left the care of the animals to some native Islanders-who don’t grasp the concept of ‘pets’ as well as we do in the western world. Snickers was left to fend for himself.
From Colorado’s Post Independent:
“Gina Baurile, the society’s community relations
coordinator, said Thursday that the organization took the lead in
coordinating the rescue of Snickers after being contacted in the first
week of April by Jack Joslin of Las Vegas, a concerned pet lover who
wanted to take ownership of the dog.
Joslin noted that he became interested in the dog after reading the article on ‘Lectronic Lattitude. Joslin’s own dog, a 15-year-old border collie, had been euthanized the week before the story broke.
“I was willing to spend whatever it took, but
because so many people got involved willingly, it turned out not to
cost me much at all,” Joslin said.
NCL, the cruise line, offered to pick up Snickers on Fanning Island, then bring him to Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines then volunteered to fly Snickers to Los Angeles where his new owner, Jack Joslin, will be more than happy to pick him up.
All efforts to reach The Merrows, the dog’s rightful owners have failed, leaving little other option than to allow Jack to take over ownership.
Ahh…but wait…There was a Macaw involved as well
The Merrow’s macaw, who actually went through the same ordeal as Snickers, yet was a little better taken care of on the island, is still on Fanning Island. In order for Gulliver the Macaw to get back to the United States-there has to be a technically thought out plan. The first option fell through because of paperwork problems
The new plan involves an elaborate escape to neighboring Christmas Island-then on to Los Angelas, one of only two ports where exotic birds can enter the country. If the escape works, Gulliver will probably be heading to a bird sanctuary in Arizona.
Did I mention that Snickers was a cocker-spaniel? Disney loves cocker-spaniels. Add Gulliver the Macaw, the adventure, eventual rescue and the sentimental story behind Jack Joslin coming into ownership of the dog he helped save–yeah, this could be a million dollar blockbuster–Look for it in a theater near you in a couple of years.
From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Disney Movies, Dog Rescue, Dog at Sea, Gulliver the Macaw, News, Snickers the Dog, Walt Disney |
Actually, Joslin was in contact with the Merrows who gave up their ownership rights to him. Legally, once they abandoned the animals, ownership rights reverted to the nation of Kiribati but Joslin wanted to make sure the Merrows agreed.
Bless his heart.
Hey LaDonna,
Thanks for this bit of information. I had not ran across this on anything I had read. By reading that, it makes a little more sense. What did the Merrow’s say were the reasonings behind not wanting the dog? That is crazy to me. I would just about do anything for my own pet. Was cost an issue? I could possibly see that.
Jason A. Hendricks
Editor
[...] An Adventurist ‘Special Report’: Update on the Sagas of Snickers and Gulliver Posted on April 21, 2008 by Jason A. Hendricks A couple of days ago I put up a post called “A Real Saga of ‘Walt Disney’ Proportions: Dog Rescued After Three Months at Sea and Four…“. [...]
I am Darla’s sister. I have read alot of the articles about Snickers and Gulliver and it is frustrating that Darla and Jerry look like the bad guys. Jason Hendricks question as to whether money was an issue is on the mark. Yes, money has been a huge issue. Darla and Jerry do not own a home. They have lived on a boat for years and worked hard to buy the boat that they traveled in. These stories also do not mention that the boat that they shipwrecked in was not the boat they began their travels with. The first boat, which they had been living on, also had problems and the boat that they ended up with was one that they had to use what money they had left in savings to purchase. When that boat was destroyed, they literally lost everything they had. Also the articles make it sound like Darla and Jerry did not bother to get in touch with anybody about this situation. When they got back to CA. they were living with my brother without a computer and without a phone. It was at this time that Lorraine and Robby Coleman and the editor of Latitude 38 were attempting to get in touch with them. They tried emailing with not response. Darla and Jerry could not respond b/c they had no internet access and had no idea anyone was trying to reach them. Robby and Lorriane emailed me and I contacted Darla through my brother. During all of this, the officials on the island were already saying that the animals were going to be destroyed soon if Darla didn’t come to claim them. I don’t have time at the moment to continue the story but just wanted to say that people should not judge Darla and Jerry by what is written because what is written is nowhere near the full story.
Hey Kim,
Thanks for stopping by and posting your comments. I have emailed you an offer to share their side of the story as well. There is a lot of interest here, as you know, and It would be nice if this article was not taken out of contect any more than it has in the Press. I am sure it is hard for all involved, and I am more than happy to work with you in voicing your side as well.
Cheers-
Jason A. Hendricks
Editor
The Adventurist
I am Darla Merrows brother in California. She came to my house on Dec. 29 @ 7 in the morning just of f .the
plane. She told me her story of sharks and piracy and
extremely difficult return conditions.It was a very humbling experience along with the dog and bird story. Real life is not always a Disney movie.
Jason….
Is there any way for you to contact Darla’s relatives, Kim and or Tom ? (above)
The Oasis Sanctuary and others are pouring time, effort and money into the saving of Gulliver’s life and working toward getting Gulliver back to the safety of Sanctuary in the US.
We understand that the Merrows did the best they could under the circumstances but we need their famil;y’s help now to help this wponderful bird. The government needs documentation which may be in the form of a “Declaration” (a very simple letter-type legal document) from someone(s) who knew Gulliver before he left the US in order to save his life!
Can anyone please help??
SDybil Erden, Executive Director
The Oasis Sanctuary
Sybil,
I have emailed you. I can not give out their personal information, but I can forward the info to them, if they have not seen it already. I can not guarantee a response, but I can try to do what I can.
please let me know what happens with Gulliver. thanks