Meet Archer, Stephen Gray’s sternman. He is a four-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo, also known as an Italian water dog. He loves running around on boats, and thankfully, his person has a “boat problem.” In other words, Archer has his choice of rides, including a 17-foot Boston Whaler, a 22-foot Banks Cove, and the original Able Marine Wolf Class 44, aptly named Wolf. Whenever Gray brings a boat to the dock on Vinalhaven, Archer jumps aboard and looks at the captain with his big green eyes, longing to head out. He sits in the back of the boat or up on the gunwale, dutifully standing watch, his ears flapping in the wind, and hoping the crew will go ashore on some small island where he can run, swim, or find a dead fish to roll in. When not at sea, Archer enjoys chasing anything his person throws and playing with pals, especially his brother, Enzo.
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