Day 1 ... Hour 2 ...

We were making great time motor-sailing south in the Chesapeake Bay, the winds were light and the current was gently pushing us along.  With the boat under control, I left the Captain at the helm to go below and check on how Lyra was fairing... obviously not very well as  I discovered she had peed on our bed!

I quickly stripped off the top covers as we had just replaced the mattress before our departure, not to mention we would like to sleep in this bed.  Fortunately I had also purchased a new duvet, a nice down alternative with water resistant cover!  The duvet cover was soaked but no liquid penetrated the duvet.

Although we were very unhappy with Lyra, walking by the head I realized for her first day under sail there was quite a bit of movement and even with her custom toilet seat it was probably a little confusing and scary for her.  The next several days the plan was to keep her close at my side, in her backpack as we are getting underway and on leash beside me at all other times.  It only took a few days and this worked great.  She quickly got the hang of using the head while moving (sometimes calling me to come help hold or comfort her), and would come to my side when she was uncomfortable.

Once anchored at Solomons Island, we went to a nearby marina to wash all our bedding, fortunately they had a pub where we could wait for the laundry out of the cold.

At the pub waiting on Laundry, today she is untrustworthy to leave alone.  It's possible she feels bad for what she's done or she want's to make sure we understand how unhappy she is feeling!

Using her custom toilet seat.  We cut out the center of the lid so she would have a larger area to squat on while the boat is moving. She needed quite a bit of reassurance and some occasional help balancing at first, but she is getting much more comfortable with it. It would be impossible on the standard compact head toilet seat while moving.