Servicemembers from Coast Guard Mayport stand around Boot, a 10-year-old black labrador who acted as mascot for the base since 1993. Photo courtesy of Coast Guard Mayport

CG Dog Retires After Long, Faithful Service

By PA1 Scott Carr
Coast Guard Station Mayport

For nearly 10 years, Boot, a 10-year-old Black Labrador has watched over the men and women of Coast Guard Station Mayport. She has watched as they have responded to hundreds of search and rescue calls and has always met them with a waging tail.

Boot's last day of duty as Station Mayport's official unit mascot was Nov. 21. Station crewmembers treated Boot to a retirement ceremony including cake, ice cream and lots of dog treats.

''She is a good dog,'' said BM3 Larry Blakeslee. ''Boot would keep us company especially when times were bad. If we had a busy night, were tired or in a bad mood we would come in and see Boot and your mood just changed.''

Boot, was adopted by Station Mayport crewmembers in 1993 through the Jacksonville Humane Society. As a unit mascot she was required to conduct herself in the highest traditions of the Coast Guard and carry out her assigned duties to the best of her ability and bear true faith and allegiance to the same. Some of her duties while in service included raising unit morale and relieving crewmember stress through play and companionship.

''I will miss Boot,'' said BMC Jeff Pickering, officer in charge of Station Mayport. ''I will miss the way she barked and chased after the engineers cart and I will especially miss the way she would be at my feet even before the Wendy's bag opened.''

During Boot's tenure she has overseen various training exercises and frequent missions around the unit's area of responsibility. But most importantly, she had kept the crew inline.

''Boot was always ready to get underway no mater what the case was or what the weather was like,'' said BM2 Gary Fausnaugh. ''If we were running to the boat she would run down too.''

Since 1993, Boot has been seen six different officers-in-charge and the rescue of hundreds of mariners. Station crewmembers presented Boot with her retirement letter and a basket of dog bones. After the ceremony, Fausnaugh took Boot to his six-acre farm in Mount Dora, Fla. where she can enjoy her retirement for faithful service.