My home is in Racine , Wisconsin just a block away from Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes of the United States.  My doghouse (the humans live here too) is adorned by renderings of the Wind Point Lighthouse that stands just a mile away. The lighthouse  still provides a beacon of light to boats and ships that traverse the lake.  Although my time at sea has been fairly limited, I think of myself as a "Salty Dog," as I do possess certain attributes and interests which cause humans and other dogs to see me in that light.  I'm a venerable dog, who has spent many a year navigating the sea lanes of life. Other sailors seek me out for advice, knowing I possess worldly wisdom (for a dog) accumulated on my many mental voyages. My salt and pepper color looks a bit like a pea coat, and differentiates me from the landlubber dogs who haven't yet earned their sea legs.  The thing that sets me apart from most dogs, and makes me especially "Salty" is my undying love and affection for potato chips.  Yep, I can't stop eating 'em.  No one can eat just one.  Especially not this dog.  Salty Dog, yep that's me.

In the waters off Racine Harbor lie the remains of many ships that wrecked as they made their way from the busy ports of Chicago and Milwaukee.  Racine was settled in the 1830's and quickly developed as a lake port. In 1839 a small lighthouse was constructed to serve the area.  The Wind Point Lighthouse was not constructed until 1880.
I imagine that many of the lighthouse keepers had dogs, who aided them in their duties and provided company during their lonely times. 

Propeller Merchant (16332) – Built 1862 at Buffalo, NY by David Bell - 200.0 x 29.0 x 14.0 ft. – 1009 gt. – October 6, 1875 – The Merchant was the first iron propeller on the Lakes and is one of the most historic vessels lost in Wisconsin waters.  She blundered onto Racine Reef with a large cargo of bulk corn, barreled flour and flax.  She stranded in about 13 ft of water where she holed her hull and settled onto the reef.  Although initially thought salvageable, she was given up as a loss by the 13th and stripped.  By November 1st, the vessel had started breaking up.  She had been insured for $100,000 and was the worst loss of the season.  In the summer of 1877, Knapp and Gillen removed her engines and significant scrap, and by 1880 she was no longer visible above the waterline.  In the ensuing years, she was dynamited and salvaged by various groups.  She was all but forgotten until some of her remains were found on the reef during the 1990s.  Only minor structural components of the vessel remain and are widely scattered.   (Buffalo Commercial Advertiser – 10/8/1875)

The Wind Point Lighthouse still operates today, and is a symbol of the City of Racine.  My trips to the shore of the lake are infrequent, but I ride by the lighthouse and the lake everyday with the master.  There's a certain calm that the sea invokes in the mind and heart of a dog.  The sight of the lighthouse adds to that emotion, as it serves its function as a beacon in the dark, a symbol of safe harbor, comfort in a storm   Salty Dogs and lighthouses, we go together in a way. 

Buffy
Salty Old Dog