A pet bed having a pet cushion for supporting a pet has a lower cushion for improving comfort when held on one's lap. Between the pet cushion and the lower cushion is an intermediate planar layer made of a stiff material. The pet cushion rests on or is affixed to a top surface of the intermediate planar layer and the top surface of the lower cushion is affixed or removably affixed to a bottom surface of the intermediate layer. When lifting or carrying the pet bed, the intermediate planar layer remains substantially planar, even while a pet rests on the pet surface of the pet cushion.