There’s a fascinating article in the New York Times today about people who sleep with their dogs. When I had my old dog, Frank, he never, ever, ever got in my bed. He slept on the side of my bed, protecting me. 
When I got Connor, he was between four and six years old. He already had his habits, good and bad. 
The very first night, he jumped up on my bed. I shoved him off. He jumped back up. I shoved him off. This went on for a while, until I fell asleep. 
When I woke up, there was Connor. I figured it was a battle I wasn’t going to win. 
While some doctors strongly advise against having your pet sleep with you, I figure that at least I am not like the woman in the NYT article, who sleeps with her pot-bellied pig.
What are your thoughts on sleeping with pets?
In the past week we have mysteriously gone from having no dogs in bed to having 2. If only they would sleep straight instead of hogging all the room.
ReplyDeleteI love dogs and this one looks like a sweetie :)
ReplyDeleteDenise
Extreme Personal Measures
I read that article earlier this morning, while all three of my dogs and our cats was on the bed with us. They do take up a lot of room, but only one sleeps up on the bed throughout the night.
ReplyDeleteWe're shopping for a king sized bed due to the space issue.
There is nothing more comforting in the middle of the night (besides a 2 legged companion) than having the ability to reach over and feel that warm figure with the soft fur!
ReplyDeleteI love the rising and falling of their bodies and for that I will put up with fish breath and the occasional snoring.
Nothing wrong with sleeping with a pooch or two!
And your babies are adorable. Good sleeping pals!
Depends on the size of the dog and the size of the bed and how loud they snore! Our chihuahua used to sleep under the covers to stay warm (and bite you, of course, if you kicked him by mistake.) Our lab gets away with it more often since we got a king sized bed. Really, I don't care as long as I can sleep!
ReplyDeleteI should proofread my comments. But, I think you get the picture.
ReplyDeleteMy incredibly furry dog, who adopted me off the street, would love to sleep with her head on the pillow next to mine but it is just not feasible as I am just barely contolling allergies, etc., as it is. But I do find her very loud snoring from her bed on the floor adjacent to be comforting.
ReplyDeleteFor the first 6 or 7 years (maybe longer than that) Mika slept in her crate. Then on the bed when my husband was away. Then all the time. Then we got a king size bed to accommodate everyone (two humans, dog, cat).
ReplyDeleteNow that Mika is near the end of her life, it's very comforting to have her with us in bed. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Our 85# dog sleeps in the bed, on the couch, pretty much anywhere he wants- I refuse to upgrade to the king. It will only encourage him, even if he is the best dog EVER!
ReplyDeleteWe always had one 80# Dalmatian across the foot of the bed, and his 50# housemate under the covers. Now that we're down to just the smaller one, she's decided outside the covers is better. I agree, but I would miss her if she wasn't there at all.
ReplyDeleteWhen Bill and I were first married our English Pointer and our German Shorthair slept in bed with us. A double. I really don't know how we managed now. Rosie does not sleep on our bed, but she makes the rounds of the boys' beds. Whoever gets her feels like a winner.
ReplyDeleteI would never make a judgement on whom you choose to sleep with.
ReplyDeleteBarrymore spends the night in his bed, and roughly half an hour before the alarm sounds, jumps into bed with us. He, of course, remains there until well past mid-morning. It's a dog's life, indeed.
ReplyDeleteAny dog, anytime, all night long!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't have it any other way!
Abbey would sleep on the bed with me until I dosed off (or she thought I had dozed off) - she would then sleep in her own dog bed - not far from mine.
ReplyDeleteEllie is still crate training - but I look forward to the day when she can snuggle - without chewing up the down comforter or feather bed!
Your dogs are so dear. I love having my 75 pound labradoodle sleep in my bed. Long time reader, first time poster. Thanks for a great blog.
ReplyDeleteI love my dog to death, but she's on the floor. I didn't grow up with dogs in the house and definitely not in the bed. It's just something I never got used to. She is ever vigilant and if I so much as move an eyelash, she's up and staring at me, trying to guilty me into getting up and getting her a cookie. I did find her up on the bed the other night and playing deaf when I told her to get down.
ReplyDeleteI would love to only have Jones (he is respectful and stay at the bottom of the bed) in my bed......that said, I have somehow managed to have my two sons deposit their beasties on me. (How could I say "no" when I knew these guys were headed to ASPCA. Luxie 11 lb. bichon had always slept with my son--the first night he just jumped in bed (and under the covers, no less)--I tried, I really tried to make him get down and gave up after 1.5 hours. ...I guess that I'm the pack leader now.....but geee!! It gets a little crowded at times. Mary
ReplyDeleteThe miniature schnauzer was my son's dog...a 12 week old puppy that cried sometimes at night. "Mom, can't Mac sleep with you and dad tonight, I've got to get some sleep." I said no. My husband said "It's just one night." And there he slept for 14 years. We say he could tell the day of the week. Monday through Friday, he got my husband up. Saturday and Sunday (the only time I like to early rise), he woke me up. Still miss the little guy.
ReplyDeleteI am ashamed to say my 2 year old Chihuahua sleeps with me.She was in 4 different homes when she came to me @ 4 months old!I'm her Mommy. If I want her to sleep in her own bed,I wear shorts.Odd huh? I think it's up to the individual.My Husband spoils her just as much ,if not more,so it all works out!
ReplyDeleteMy sweet adopted pugit (pug/italian greyhound) sleeps in my bed, next to me on the love seat and on the floor pillow under my desk. Not a bad life after his unfortunate incarceration in the dog pound. Can't imagine life without him.
ReplyDeleteOur black lab has run of the house except for furniture and beds. She has a bed on the floor or sleeps under my grandsons crib when he visits on weekends. I just can't have my feet pinned with anyone or anything on the foot of the bed. But that's just me.
ReplyDeleteBecause for years there was always a baby or small child in our bed there was never room for a dog.
ReplyDeleteNow?
Thanks to.. ahem... hormonal issues I hear every breath, sigh or snore and really can't tolerate another being in my bed. ( shhh, sometimes even my husband!)
but the idea warms my heart, does that count?
* Our German Shorthaired Pointer, 8 year old "Belle", DOES sleep w/ us (or basically anywhere she WANTS, except one "special" couch... she DOES have a $$$ custom-made, 5'round leather ottoman, JUST FOR HER, in the family room ~ it's in front of us, because hubby n'I have OUR special chairs & we can ALL have our footsies on it at the same time!)...
ReplyDeleteShe looks RIGHT AT US about 8:00 every night, WE say "G'night, Sweetie!" and she trots off to our bed & just waits til we come in, & waits til we're "settled" n' THEN crawls in between us.... it's MY VERY FAVORITE TIME of the DAY, and like so many others, I wouldn't have it any other way... I DO believe hubby agrees... (We're gettin' "older" now, n' Jim's soooo much less "strict"! ... Besides, I firmly believe that life's simply too short NOT to enjoy it as you wish!!!)...
I LOVE seeing that OTHERS love THEIR 4-footers as we always have, each and every single one of them!YOUR BABES are soooooooo CUTE.... they seem to have soooo much personality, & quite honestly, the pics made my HEART MELT!!! You are blessed!!!
Warmly,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
When I was growing up, my father was insistent that our cats not sleep on beds at night so we had to lock up the cats in the kitchen on a nightly basis. His rationale was something to the effect of "cats should not rule our lives".
ReplyDeleteI have two cats now and one climbs under the covers as I am going to bed and then leaves sometime in the middle of the night while the other one magically appears in a different spot and greets me in the morning when I wake up. Come warm weather though, they don't get anywhere near my bed.
Only have two cats but I would love for them to sleep with me. Whenever I give in I get a wake up paw to the face around 3am. Maybe when they're older....
ReplyDeleteWhen we convinced my hubby to finally say yes to a dog the condition was he would never set foot in the bedroom! So it is until today! No co-sleeping with the dog!
ReplyDeleteI've only had cats for the past 25 years and when dh and I married, he was not in favor of getting a cat...we got two Lilac Point Siamese...but they had no interest in staying in bed over night with us. As soon as dh turned off his light they darted out. I think they KNEW about the snoring.
ReplyDeleteMostly I agree with columnist...
"I would never make a judgment on whom you choose to sleep with. "
I just give in but that waking diagonally across the bed due to the husky and with the maltese on my head I sometimes wonder? LOL
ReplyDeleteSleeping with your pet is one of life's greatest pleasures. We haven't been able to replace our sweet 19 year old cat who passed last summer - he's irreplaceable. But I hope to find another cat who is as personable as he was, and yes, sleep with me.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE sleeping with our puppy! She is so snuggable!
ReplyDeletePS I enjoy your blog immensely and am your latest follower. I am new to the design blogging word and would love if you could check out my blog!I love new friends! Thanks!
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I think you've mentioned listening to the BBC's Radio 4 online from time to time. If so, you might like to listen to today's 'Women's Hour' programme, which included a discussion about people sleeping with their pets. It's so wonderfully British!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't potty train(was trying crate training-he would not stop barking or peeing) Othello until I took to letting him sleep between my ankles. When he stood up I rushed him outside. Once he was able to sleep through the night and went from 10 pounds to 70 pounds I tried to get him to sleep on a pillow beside my bed. He gets off when I tell him but as soon as I fall asleep he jumps right back up between my ankles. I've given up and know that is where he will be staying.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm late to the party! But here goes... When we had ferrets, the ferrets slept with us. Seriously. Each ferret had a favourite spot on the bed, usually by your feet but I had a ferret girl who slept by my pillow and often found her sleeping on my chest.
ReplyDeleteWhen we got Bayou, the ferrets moved out of their own accord (let's just say they were... civil).
And then Bayou slept with us until Margot was a few weeks old - considering that Bayou took the space of a 90lbs dog (even though she's only 30lbs), and with me hardly sleeping, I thought the bed was a bit too crowded then.
And Margot (I know, my human child, not a pet but they're all my children) slept with us until she was 14 months old.
I say, if it makes you happy, go for it! :-)
While some doctors strongly advise against having your pet sleep with you
ReplyDeleteWhat??! Who are these know-nothing doctors? I'd like to give them a piece of my mind.
What could be more wonderful than cuddling up with our sweet, wonderful, loyal, lovable friends? We sleep with our cats (three of them) and have no qualms about doing so.
Animals are beautiful creatures who bring us joy and comfort, and I can't imagine why people would object to letting them in bed.
My departed cat Mickey always slept against my back and I loved it...I felt safe and loved. Since he's gone...my cat Tootsie will pop up on the bed for a bit, but she likes sleeping else where. The kitten, Inspector Clouseau (yes he has a mustache) will pop up and snuggle, but he's too busy to sleep in one place...and I so miss that warm cat curled against my back...
ReplyDeleteI love sleeping with my kitties - and they're not particular, they'll sleep with me on the couch while "watching" old movies, or in bed, or wherever.
ReplyDeleteOur cozy little spaniel slept in our bed for years. Once our kids were older, we couldn't understand why we were still sleep deprived... so the dog had to be moved to the sofa. Such a sad day, but now we sleep through the night :)
ReplyDeleteI adore that sweet Conner! Is that the little pig you made him in the last photo?!
ReplyDeleteElla sleeps on her bed which is an ottoman at the end of our bed with her two small down comforters.... (I'm re-upholstering and put the velvet cutting under her to "test" for hair;) but at the break of dawn she's allowed to get in bed with us! When Dan's away (like tonight) she gets to sleep with me! Or when it's 4 degrees outside:) Some nights I can't sleep with her and some nights I can't sleep without her!!
sweet dreams to you and Conner!
joan
I adore our dog so much I often tell my husband and my 2 kids that she is the hands down favorite!
ReplyDeleteBut, I don't let her sleep in our bed. One my husband has allergies and 2 I wouldn't be able to take it on the weeks she needs a bath. It would send me over the edge!
My sister, who is single sleeps with her dog and of course I had to buy her a t-shirt that says "sleeps with dogs"!
Oh yes, always! Our Westie always slept with us, and especially liked to be on the pillow, above my head...just like a cat! Oh, how we miss her!
ReplyDelete