As far as I know I've not read your blog, I'll do that!
We chartered a small cat once, I thought it would be the ultimate solution (she doesn't like healing) but she likes to cook a lot on board and all I heard was there wasn't much storage space for food/cooking and it didn't have much counter space and I agree. No I won't give up on the dream but even if it never comes true it sure helped me get thru the last several years of my working life!