28 April 2009

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie



I'm working nights this shift, six nights in a row. I get home in the morning and find my wife and our dog sitting on the sofa, cuppa Joe in Sara Jean's hand, catching up on what's goin' on in the world...
Wife and dog both well rested from a good night's sleep.
Sara Jean will then prepare for work while I sit in bed with laptop, Lucy alongside, napping, as I read email and scan my favorite blogs.

When I'm finished surfing and turn over to close my eyes, she'll crawl under the covers and take her normal position behind the crook of my knees. And there she'll stay until I wake, six or seven hours later.

Lucy obviously enjoys this hot bunking system. She sleeps soundly for eight hours with Sara Jean, then sleeps another seven or so hours with me. I've always known dogs (and obviously cats) sleep a lot, but I've become so much more aware of Lucy's sleeping habits now that she's getting out of bed with Sara Jean and right back into bed with me.

Do dogs not get a headache from too much sleep?

12 comments:

cary said...

I have four dogs who are jealous that Lucy gets to snuggle with her people for that long - they only get six to eight hours with me, maybe nine on weekends with TMBWitW - and they want to know when they can move east to live with you.

You just can't please some types...

camerapilot said...

I had a 140 lbs. female Rott that would go into suspended-animation the moment I would leave for a night shoot only to re-animate the moment she heard my truck come onto the street the following morning.
I would draw a glass of wine, we would walk into the back garden, watch the light change and then the Rott would give me that look and we would plunk down and she would sleep the day away while watching over me.
God sure got a good dog when she left me.

CJ said...

First, that photo makes me want to rub his tummy. How cute!

And, the older a dog gets, the wiser a dog gets. Sleeping with a loved one isn't a bad way to spend the day.

In reality, they adjust to our schedules. If you were up and about, odds are the dog would be too, right?

cjh

cary said...

cj - I'm up and about most of the day, the dogs continue to lie about, sleeping, only moving if I go from one room to another.

Greybeard said...

Pretty much my experience too, Cary.
But Lucy sleeps on my lap, so if I move she knows it instantly. My standard poodle used to sleep with his muzzle on one of my feet... I can only assume for the same reason.
Smart?

cary said...

Either smart, or worried that we'll sneak out and do something FUN while they're sleeping...

CJ said...

Okay, so I'll edit my remarks - my dog is up and about if I am up and about and I don't just me out of bed. If I'm doing things around the house, she's sleeping, but if I'm outside she's right there with me.

And so far, I can't get up without her knowing it. All I have to do is pick up my shoes and she knows we're heading out and she stays right on my heels.

cjh

ryleg said...

hey, I was wondering what kind of dog you had there.. the picture where it's lying on its back, sleeping. thanks!

Greybeard said...

It's an internet grab, Ryleg...
Not my dog. Sorry. (We own a 12 pound Black Poodle/Schnauzer mix and she is so ugly she's cute.)

ryleg said...

awww.. I was hoping it was yours. It's because my girlfriend and I found it really cute and wanted the same dog. If ever you find out.. give me a comment :b

cary said...

Hey, ryleg - I believe that is a Cocker Spaniel. Purebred, golden.

Good with kids, very loving.

Don't get a cocker mixed with dachshund, however - kinda moody. I know - I have one like that.

ryleg said...

thanks cary! now i'm going to try to look for the dog that looks like the one in the picture.