Alayne and I had just come in from chores on Sunday morning to warm up. It was 27 degrees F (-3 C) and there was a stiff, cold wind blowing from the east. As I sat down in the living room with a second cup of coffee, I looked down and saw Bailey working a stuffed toy into position as a head rest. For some reason he likes to sleep with his head propped up on a soft toy, but he always has his entire mouth wrapped around the toy. He has to find the right toy that's small enough to fit in his little mouth, but it also has to be big enough that it serves as a real cushion, too. In other words, not any toy will do!
Once he finds the right size toy, he starts biting on it, up one side and down the other, to determine the best place to put his mouth. Kind of a like a musician going up and down the scale trying to find the right note. (A loose analogy admittedly, but I'm stickin' with it.) Once he finds the "ah ha!" spot, he takes a big mouthful, lets out a deep breath, and settles in for a nap.
So as not to disturb the maestro at work, Alayne quietly slipped me the camera over the back of the couch, and I started shooting from the chair I was sitting in. In the photo above, Bailey has picked his spot on the toy and has settled in for his morning nap. After watching his eyes drift closed, I got down on my knees in front of him for this shot:
The clicking of the shutter woke him up, as you can tell, and now I'm getting that "what are you doing?" look. Of course, the real question is, what is he doing using a mouthful of toy as a head rest?
Your pic of Bailey just made my day! I love, love, love these grumpy old doxies. Their antics just seem to get cuter and cuter with age. I have two senior wiener dogs myself (both special needs) and Bailey definitely reminds me of my own brood. I recently discovered Rolling Dog Ranch and I am completely smitten! You do incredible work and you are an inspiration. Bravo!!!
Posted by: ihearthounds | October 28, 2008 at 11:16 PM
I love Bailey's antics!
And of course, he's just doing what he normally does everyday so to him it's a wonder why you want a picture of him doing this.
A big double laugh!!
Posted by: Boundforglory | October 28, 2008 at 09:12 AM
Sometimes when you write about one of these guys I like to refresh my memory about how they arrived at RDR. I was reading about Bailey & looked at his pictures & one of the pictures shows him sleeping as you have described him in the blog. I just think it's the cutest! I thought the same thing Miranda thought too & that he must have a serious case of dry mouth when he wakes up!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | October 27, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Ah Bailey - you always make me smile. You know what's important - good resting spots and good things in your mouth!
Posted by: Lisa | October 27, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Oh Bailey, that is so cute! Could it be a thumbsucking kind of thing, for comfort?
My little plumpette will start licking her front paws at nap time, and fall asleep with the little side toe in her mouth! It is the sweetest thing. She's 10 and still doing it.
We finally had rain yesterday, so today everyone is smiling.
Have a great week - keep warm.
Posted by: bregda | October 27, 2008 at 03:06 AM
Talk about a seriously dry mouth! Does he drink a lot of water when he wakes up?
Posted by: Miranda | October 27, 2008 at 02:31 AM
I guess you'd have to try it to really know what you're missing out on, Steve! I'm glad That Bailey found the perfect bite size for his short but sweet nap.
Warm hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | October 27, 2008 at 01:14 AM
That's so funny! I love the little idiosyncrasies of our furry friends. Love the look you got! It's like, ah, do you mind? I have been hard at work to get in my morning nap & you disturb me?
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | October 27, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Your fussy little weiner dogs are a trip. Can't get enough of the quirks of your crew. I picture the beagle crew and the grumpy old weiners as the Jets and the Sharks of RDR.
Posted by: Bob | October 26, 2008 at 08:59 PM
I can't believe your guy does this too! I thought mine was the only one. Vanna White (my white GSD) put the toy in her mouth, then rocked herself to sleep and finally used the toy as a headrest. Cutest thing ever! She passed away this summer so this brought back such wonderful memories--thanks!
Posted by: Janet | October 26, 2008 at 07:38 PM