They have lived this boating life for a very long time. I think Neil mentioned it had been 30 years since he slept in a house aside from visiting friends. They’ve each had other boats. The lifestyle fits.
When I first met them, it was just a hello and short chats in passing. Then I found myself intrigued by their stories and wishing for more, but afraid to overstay my welcome.
Jane wore her dark curly brown hair in braids on each side with her dangly silver earrings swinging as she talked. A petite silver nose ring did not look out of place. With her sharp wit, her eyes sparkled with her cheerful disposition. Neil looked like a cross between Steven Tyler and Mick Jagger, his long straight brown hair falling to his shoulders would make any man our age envious. His comments were always given with a laughing smirk and his dry humor had me beat.
Everyone in the Marina would know they were there before even seeing them. That’s because of the yelling. Not at each other, but mostly at Brian.
Pip, Harry, Brian and Spud (photos in order) are their dogs. Not small dogs either. All adopted along their travels. Add one male cat named Doris, yes, Doris, and you have a boatload of fur and a hysterical view when their dingy goes to the beach, appearing as if the dogs were in full control of the vessel.
There were tales of a Chicken that went to the Sea (sorry, couldn’t resist)… poor chicken drowned. And other animals but only Doris started with them.
Pip is a French dog, adopted in France because she followed Neil to the boat and wouldn’t leave. Next came Harry
who was found along a path in Greece, barely alive, obviously dumped. So small he fit in Neil’s palm and his tiny legs dangled as if he were dead. They took him to the vet and pumped him full of liquids. It was touch and go, but aboard the boat it was Doris the Cat that planted himself next to the dog, never leaving his side and took on full guardianship of Harry. Harry is now a good 75+ pounds and to this day, the cat comes running to his aid if another dog challenges Harry! Then came Brian, nearly a repeat of Harry. Found in Greece, close to their boat, they had to decide; could they walk past this dying puppy for the next few days or add another dog? Brian made 3. Barely alive his nose had not even developed. After MORE Vet bills, Brian grew up to be a rambunctious, funny dog. His bark was 
the always the first, followed by the yell “BRIIIIIIIAAAAAN”, in unison by the Jane and Neil. Then came Spud, the Italian dog. Found just recently at the Sibari beach area. While running their dogs on the beach and a stray puppy joined them. After this, they packed up the dingy and headed back to the boat leaving the puppy on the beach. He looked healthy enough. But Spud had other plans, he swan after the dingy to the marina. At this point, they decided that a dog in the boatyard would have a better chance than not, so they helped him up the banks. Four adopted dogs, they thought, would make it harder to travel knowing that each country required doggy passports and papers on shots. Some require confinement. But that night, the
puppy jumped in the water and swam around their boat scratching and yelping his way into their hearts. The next thing we all noticed (besides his very large paws---ah oh!) was the red collar on the light yellow puppy. Spud had a home.Obvious to the onlooker, these two travelers lived with conservative means, like us. Doing repairs themselves and recycling anything possible. Living under their terms. Loving the water.
But besides rescuing all the dogs, their huge hearts showed through by their eagerness to help us out with everything from information, giving us specialized paint, books and maps, to lending us tools. Now that’s prosperity.
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