Dogs and Sleeping Arrangements: What’s Mine Is Theirs

Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela.

Dogs have no respect for private space. That much is obvious to anyone who’s ever owned a dog. Mine are certainly the worst kind. Despite me offering them a variety of dog beds and even two different kinds of large raised beds, a soft one and a more compact one, they all seem to prefer my bed above all. It was all good when there was only one dog. Then two. And now I need to share my king size bed with three dogs, and most of the time two to three cats. Let’s just say, a good night's sleep is not something that comes easily in my house.

The Usual Setup

Initially, the sleeping setup was pretty straightforward. Lava slept on my bed next to me, usually at my feet, while Hela enjoyed the large, soft raised bed not too far from us. And that’s how it continued for almost a year Then something changed, and Hela seemed to have claimed the bed. To the point that Lava almost always starts off by sleeping on the floor or next to the wood burner during the winter, and then at night, she sneaks up onto the bed beside Hela and again ends up around my feet. And now, Lajka joined the club. She took a few days to gain enough courage to get up on the bed, but soon enough she found her place right next to me. And when I say right next to me, I mean literally right next to my head and neck. She will even put her head on my shoulder, and her head sometimes ends up under the covers. And as a side note, she is a snorer. Goodbye, sleep.

Why Do They All Prefer My Side of the Bed?

Interestingly, whichever side of the bed I choose, and I tend to periodically change them, they all seem to end up on my side. Getting into bed at night is a real challenge. It involves moving one 77-lb dog from where I wish to place my legs, one 55-lb dog usually from my pillow, and the smallest 32-lb dog just as I lie down, from my neck, while she is actively doing everything in her power to try and lick my face. And finally, just as I settle in this strange position, with my body parts avoiding the dogs’ body parts, trying to find the most comfortable position, the cats join in.

Cats Come to the Mix As Well

Just as I think, this can’t get much worse, there are the kittens, one trying to also find a spot near my legs, and the other one claiming my neck and chest all for herself. As crowded and uncomfortable as it sounds, and that’s because it genuinely is, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Cuddling up to them at night, and being woken up by a wet nose or an awkward paw, as annoying as it is at times, also puts a smile on my face.

Never a Dull Moment

Having three dogs really is like a crazy house. Besides not having a lot of room in the bed to sleep in, which is entirely my fault for letting them up in the first place, the house is rarely quiet. If the dogs are asleep, the cats are wreaking havoc on the place. And in the morning, instead of starting off with a bliss of sunshine and slow relaxing start, it’s more like a sneaky game. As soon as I start to move even a little, they all seem to know I’m awake. And a random tail wag acts as an additional wake up call. First, they pretend to be asleep, but if I get up and dare go to the bathroom, one by one, the cats demand their breakfast. And then Hela and Lajka start their morning chaotic playtime, wrestling and chewing each other, while subtly trying to tell me it’s time for a walk. And Lava either wants to sleep in, like she had an especially rough night, which she probably did from me inadvertently pushing her away with my feet all the time, or she is up like a bullet and too impatient. She will stand at the door and start whining, demanding to be let out. There’s never a dull moment in my home, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Well, maybe, I would appreciate a bit more sleep, sometimes.