Say hey. Say ho.
I’m not hippin’ and hoppin’ today (although that has been known to happen.) No, I am talking about one of my favorite things: sleep. Oh yes, snuggly, snorty, dreamy sleep. I could go on and on about it, but let’s focus on one aspect of dog sleep. Why do we sleep with our paws in the air?
There are a couple reasons why we sometimes look like a table after a bar fight. We are in an über-relaxed state, which means we are in a space that feels very safe and comfortable. When we sleep curled up in a ball, our muscles are tense and our sleep is light. A flip to the back and we are flying in our dreams.
As with most things dog, the reasons go back to our days in the wild. No self-respecting dog would sleep with its paws in the air out in nature. Too many pack dynamics and predators to totally relax in that environment. It was sleep light and survive.
The other reason is to be keep cool. We generally have less fur on our bellies, so when we expose it to the air, it cools us down. And a big bonus is a belly rub. Make sure we’re awake first though. Our deep sleep and a sudden touch may wake up our protective instincts, so rub belly only when we beg you. And you must do it every time we want you to (it’s in the Dog Rule Book.)
When you see us on our backs, paws in the air, loving our life and our sleep, that’s one way we doggies say thank you to you humans. So, next time you see your dog like that, just whisper “You’re welcome.”
Category Archives: sleep
Paws in the Air
Circle :: Circle :: Circle :: Sleep
I know we dogs can be wacky. We roll on our backs in the grass or dirt. We run just for the sake of it. Some of us will dig to the earth’s core, if you let us.
One of the wackiest is our setting up to sleep. I don’t know any dog that doesn’t circle a bit before settling in for sleep. It’s methodical. It’s rhythmic. It’s certifiable.
But, as with a lot of things dog, our actions are based on instinct. Smart humans theorize about our behaviors and some of what they come up with even makes sense.
One theory surmises that we circle to leave our scent on our sleeping spot. Another similar theory is that we are creating our personal space, which tells other dogs to stay away. Personal space sounds a little New Age-y for a dog. If we wanted personal space, why would we cram ourselves into a small space on your bed every chance we get?
A reasonable theory is that a wild dog had to check his sleeping space to make sure he wouldn’t be sleeping on top of any creepy crawly critters. He would also tamp down the grass or expose a cooler layer of earth. Seems very practical and a good instinct to develop. It’s so interesting how these instincts are passed from generation to generation and dog to dog, when the practicality for the action is gone. I don’t think I ever need to check the sleeping space I choose for anything more than a tossed-aside toy. Sometimes, I’ll just lay on top of it anyway.
The graphic above is missing one step though… it’s circle, circle, circle, plunk/heavy sigh, sleep.
Sweet dreams, y’all.
Mastication Situation
Love it or hate it, we dogs make copious noises before, during and after most of our activities. The one I’m focusing on today is getting ready for sleep. I begin each night in a beautiful leather chair in the master bedroom. I adopted it as my own, after one of our cats in his last days, kept using it as a toilet. The humans cleaned it and bought a new cushion, but just don’t seem to sit in it like they used to. Good for me!
As I settle in for the night, A-Dog is usually settling in as well. Sometimes she’ll watch some TV or do a bit of work on the computer, but eventually it’s lights out and quiet time. That’s when our troubles start. I methodically prepare my mouth for sleep at set intervals. A-Dog describes it like I’m trying to clear peanut butter out of the roof of my mouth. And it drives her bonkers! Quiet is really relative to a dog. I don’t even realize I’m being noisy, but I hear her muttered comments loud and clear. Most of these comments I cannot type here… Does she forget that these ears I have aren’t just soft, cute accessories, but can hear very well? My masticating sounds last on and off for about 15 minutes and then I’m off to dreamland. I think A-Dog gets so worked up sometimes that she can’t fall asleep for hours. What’s a dog to do?
If you’re a loyal reader here, you know that I usually try to explain my dog behavior and sometimes give advice. Not this time. I have searched many pages on this www and have only found mentions of this phenomenon in veterinarian journals referencing dogs in poor health. I must say that it made me a little paranoid and a lot hypochondriac. UNTIL I found this Facebook Group which helped me feel healthy and could say “In your face!” to A-Dog. It’s title is I like the schlurping sound my dog makes when he/she is tired The group was created by Jamie of Cowbelly Pet Photography. I can’t thank her enough for the validation. Maybe she can convince A-Dog that all us girls and dog-lovers need to stick together no matter what the racket.
Here endeth the doggie lesson! Not much of a lesson, I know, but it did make me sleepy!
