Every night he sets up camp on a different beach, with Basoli sticking by a rule of never paying for a place to sleep

The pair take the journey as it comes, travelling between six to 18 miles a day depending on sea conditions. Nirvana is pictured here in Sicily

Nirvana, who Basoli adopted, quickly became popular on the kayaker's Instagram page, where she is regularly tagged as SailorDog.

He said: 'I found Nirvana in Alghero, Sardinia. She was in the middle of the street, confused, a bit ill, and with much fear. But happy to have met someone.'

According to Basoli, Nirvana needed a bit of time to adjust to their sea-faring existence.

'She didn't like water at first. She would vomit the first days, but then she got used to it and now it's much better,' he commented.

'She doesn't like the long crossings, but neither do I. We are happy to arrive on land.

'She now jumps up on the kayak every time I pull it from beach to water and she has a jacket in case of wind and the risk of getting wet.'

Nirvana gives Basoli his paw as the sun sets on a tranquil and beautiful beach scene

This image shows how there is almost no room at all on Basoli's kayak for anything but basic possessions - and a hound

Basoli revealed he spends around €200 per month on food and he earns some income transforming shells he finds on the way into necklaces, earrings and rings