Go Ahead, Make Yourself At Home

Tyler, a deaf English Pointer, has been with us at the ranch for several years.  He lives at Widget's House, our main building for disabled dogs, and has his choice of three different comfy dog beds to sleep on at night.  Earlier this week, I was startled to go over one morning and find him -- for the first time ever -- curled up sound asleep on a shelf we use to store dog bedding.  Because he's deaf, he sleeps very soundly, so I can walk in and start letting the other dogs out and he doesn't even wake up.

The next morning I found him asleep on the same shelf.  And the next morning.  Finally I realized I should take my camera with me and capture Tyler in his new 'bunk bed.'  So yesterday morning, I walked into Widget's House and sure enough, there he was on the shelf.  As I started taking photos, he woke up (I think the flash going off may have woken him) ... but he didn't stir.  He looked at me, looked around the room, and then tucked his head down as if to say, "Thanks, but I'm not ready to get up yet."  That's when I took this photo you see above.

Of course, to get his bunk bed just the way he likes it, he rearranges all the stacked sheets and blankets and towels, knocking some to the floor, before he settles in.  He expects me to pick them all up, fold them and re-stack them, so he can do it all over again at night.

Now, here's the part I don't get.  Does that shelf look as comfortable as a dog cot with a foam bed on top covered with a flannel sheet?  That's what he's giving up to sleep in his new bunk.  Hmm.  But there's something about it he really finds appealing, no doubt about it.  I found him sacked out like this again this morning, on Thanksgiving.  That's five days in a row!

(Click on photo for larger image.)

Comments

[Leilani]

What a group of climbers and perchers you have; now you can add Tyler to the group! His observations of others must be rubbing off, or he's becoming more cat like. Throwing articles on the floor to make just the right "nest" is a normal cat occurrance at my place.

[Nina]

Great photo of Tyler! I think the pooch is enjoying the variety of beds available to him!
Happy Thanksgiving to my southern neighbours!

[Harvie Schreiber]

That is so like animals, isn'[t it? Great blog post.

[Miranda]

I't almost like Tyler is a big cat, looking for a new sleeping spot every few weeks or months. Could be he finds it warmer off the floor or no one bothers him. Could you put a piece of foam covered by flannel on the shelf for him since he seems to have chosen the bunk bed? Might be a tad more comfy than what he's laying on then again he doesn't actually seem to care does he. A belated Happy Thanksgiving!

[ginger & Tobias (the greythound)]

Do you think it's that much warmer up there than where he'd normally be sleeping? Just curious. You've got Travis that climbs up on top of things, & now this. Very interesting. (not to mention funny) Thanks for the photo. I'm sure he has his reasons.
Warm hugs,
ginger & Tobias