Does Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed?

Does Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed?

Does your dog sleep in your bed? Always? Sometimes? On special occasions? Is this a silly question?

Some of you are thinking, “Of course this is a silly question. All dogs should sleep in the bed. Duh.”

Others are thinking, “That’s a stupid question! Why on earth would you let a hairy, slobbery, dirty dog sleep in your bed?”

But most of you know that there are both kinds of dog owners in this world and that it’s okay to decide either way.

Or, like us, maybe your dog sleeps in your bed only sometimes?

One Dog or More – Does It Make a Difference?

Once upon a time, our first Aussie, Clee-o, slept in our bed every night. It was a little cramped, the three of us in a queen sized bed, Clee-o in the middle, frequently a cat near or on my head. But it worked, and Clee-o fully expected to sleep in our bed. There was no question.

Then Clee-o passed (please observe a moment of silence), and we brought home two Aussies. The decision was made (and not by me, insert pout here) that the dogs would sleep on the FLOOR. The indignity. Dogs on the floor. Who ever heard of such a thing? What on earth is a big bed for if not for a dog to sleep on it? We had moved up to a king sized bed, for Pete’s sake! Plenty of room for two dogs!!

Alas, it was not to be. Dogs on the floor. Final answer.

Unless …

Unless my Hunny was gone overnight. See how that works? Then the dogs were free to sleep next to me, on top of the covers. One thing I did learn from our first co-sleeping arrangement was that dogs leave dirt and hair in the sheets, and that they should only be allowed on top of the covers. Especially if they bring one of their bones to bed. ESPECIALLY if they bring a hoof to bed.

Alright, so the hoof gets them kicked out of the bedroom altogether. The dogs LOVE Jones’ hooves, but those things stink when they’re chewed. Which probably explains the doggy love affair with the hooves.

So now, after twelve years with our “new” fur babies, they jump into bed if there is only one parent there. Yes, Hunny invites Patches up when I leave the room. I invite Flash. The difference between the two is that Patches will get down and go back to her blanket in the corner after about half an hour, while Flash will stay on the bed until I leave, or the next morning. Like last night, my Hunny’s first night of a long trip to Orlando for training. Flash is just protecting me. Yeah. That’s what he’s doing.

The New Dogs

The new dogs, our lap dogs are tiny in comparison. (Yes, this is a gently recycled post) They have privileges which the big dogs do not. So for a couple of years they both slept in our bed. I loved and hated it. Gadget was constantly crawling up and sleeping on my shoulder in the middle of the night, keeping me awake, but having them anchor my legs at night was a comfort.

Why did they stop sleeping in the bed? Cancer. Hunny made that decision the day I was diagnosed, and they moved to little beds in our bathroom. It was tough for me, but necessary. And I do miss them in the bed, but I’m grateful Hunny made the decision he did. Sleep is still difficult to come by, even four months out from chemo. We make the dog sleep in the bed decision based on who and what and where we are.

So, does your dog sleep in your bed? And if yes, just how many dogs sleep in your bed? Or do I really not want to know?

Giveaway

And because I love you, regardless of whether or not the dog sleeps in your bed, I’m hosting a giveaway for Jones Natural Chews. Some lucky dog will win chicken and duck feet, the newest single ingredient treat offering! To win, simply click this sentence, scroll down, click the box and do what it says. Or else. Or else your dog will be very sad that you don’t love it as much as you say you do. 😉

Spreading the good chews …

Flea