Blogger buddy Diane shared this NBC News article on our blogger group page, “The secret to a good night’s rest? Let sleeping dogs next to you” The article discusses a University of Toronto study that found that dogs do not interrupt human’s sleeping patterns. In fact, the human is more likely to disrupt the dog’s sleep than the other way around. Also, “we feel safer with our dogs, hinting at “a deeper evolutionary history” between humans and dogs, said study co-author Ming Fei Li, who was a graduate student of evolutionary anthropology during the research.”
This doesn’t surprise me. I commented that, “My dogs used to sleep with us. Unfortunately, with my senior dog, he can’t sleep in our bed anymore..I miss it so much.”
When I first adopted Barley, our shih tzu, I was single, had never had a pet, brought him into my bed the first night I brought him home and woke up to him licking my face. The thought of him not sleeping in my bed, never occurred to me. I hadn’t heard about crating them or that letting them sleep in your bed might cause control issues and I’m so glad that I didn’t know about the “rules”. Besides waking me up with kisses, Barley used to nestle behind my legs while I slept. Sometimes, it felt as though he was trying to get as close as possible, or closer than possible, and, it was a sure-fire way to ensure he was firmly nestled in my heart.
When Gavin (husband) came along several months later with two dogs – Miggy (Miigwetch) and Callie, Miggy hopped into bed with us. Callie, who was a bit bigger, would plant her face on the bed and insinuate she wanted to come up. Gavin has suggested I wouldn’t let her up, but I don’t think that’s true.
There were the logistics of having two dogs in the queen size bed at my place. Gavin had a king size bed at his apartment, at the time, and that certainly made it more comfortable with the dogs. That depends on what is meant by more comfortable. Sure, there was more space for two humans and two dogs. However, having the two dogs cuddled in the middle of us, was quite comfortable for me, even in the queen size bed, thank you!
Gavin used to joke about it (the dogs in the bed) being too much but I don’t think he ever really minded. Callie left us in that first year together (about 11 years ago). Barley left us about a year and a half ago. Miggy (mini schnauzer) is still with us (poo poo poo) but with age and the loss of many of his senses, fear of him falling off the bed or tumbling down the stairs, plus his incontinence which requires doggy diapers, has relegated him to his doggy bed downstairs. He is no longer in our bed. Have I mentioned I miss it?
I can see why the University of Toronto study found that humans can feel safer with their dogs in their bed. If a snuggly, warm, little, love bug, that doesn’t ask for anything in return other than your body heat, doesn’t make you feel safer, calmer, more relaxed, than what does?!
Does your dog (or cat) sleep with you? Do you think it affects your sleep in a positive way? I hear some cats get a lot of their steps in at night. Sometimes “over” their humans. Is that right, Cate?
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