"As long as he didn't get anything on you, that's fine," Ellen says. "He's used to sleeping wherever I am. A lot of the time that means on whatever I can get between myself and the ground, but he jumps up on the bed from time to time when I'm at home, too."

Jerald's been caught by surprise that way a few times. Dogmeat's learned to wait for the okay signal first as a result.

Ellen pauses a moment, considering the situation. After a bit she says, "You still look a little off your pace, if you don't mind my saying so. I have some music, if you wanted a distraction or anything. I'm- sorry, I'm not trying to push, that'd be rude of me."