One of the many views from our bedroom window.

Keeping Dudley comfortable is Emily's main job — as far as he's concerned, anyway.

Dudley’s life aboard, we have to say, is pretty cushy. Even though he has a dog bed that sits, fittingly, on the doghouse (engine access) of Murray, Dudley never uses it. While we are under way, he sits on Emily’s lap. After four or five hours of a 20-pound dog on her lap, sometimes her legs go a little numb. But whenever Emily makes Dudley ride on his dog bed (and NOT on her lap), Dudley sits, facing her, and stares — for hours. Dogs have amazing patience, and Dudley certainly has more of it than Emily. Invariably, Dudley stares until Emily gives in and lets him back on her lap — numbness and all.

So why do we keep the dog bed? Well, Murray’s engine can get pretty hot, and the dog bed provides additional insulation in the cockpit against the heat of the engine. It also provides a comfortable place for Dudley to sit and stare at Emily.