Sleeping with Us

[Emmasmom]

The last summer my Hamish was alive, he spent a lot of time lying in the basement on the cement or at the front door on the tiled floor. He felt better.

There comes a time when we have to put our own feelings and wants aside and look at what is best for the dog. I live in a bungalow and the dogs now have freedom to go sleep where they want. If it was a two-story and I felt for safety's sake the dog was better on the second floor, I would gate off the stairs at night. If not, I would let the dog lie where he wants. I would have to make the decision - is it for me or him?

 

[Tagg]

It's probably just a case of it being easier on old joints not to go up and down stairs and as others have said, it might be cooler downstairs. I don't know how old your boy is or if his joints are getting some arthritic changes - only a vet can look at him and tell you.

 

[JLSOhio51]

...There comes a time when we have to put our own feelings and wants aside and look at what is best for the dog...

Obviously I wholeheartedly agree with this. But, I also understand that it isn't the easiest decision to make at times. Ask 100 pet owners if they make decisions based on simply what's best for the pet, and my guess is that an overwhelming majority would say, "Yes!" The problem comes with truly deciding if you are really making the decision the pet would want and not the decision we convince ourselves is for the pet.

When I was slowly losing my previous Sheltie, I was resolute that I would choose only what was best for him. I said goodbye with the absolute knowledge that I had done just that. Now. looking back, I know that was not true. I made several decisions that were really for me. I have no regrets, but I have learned from the experience.

 

[Fasb's Owner]

The past few nights we've left him to decide what he wants. He's come up a little after we got ready for bed, stayed awhile, then went back down. He comes back by the time we get up. Think he's maybe too warm (been unseasonably warm here lately) + feeling creaky. He takes steps at normal speed during the day, but goes down them slowly at night.

Ironically, last night was probably the warmest the house has been in several weeks and he came up early, jumped on the bed, waited for us, then stayed several hours. Anyway, he seems to want to go back and forth a couple times during the night, so it seems like we should let him do that as long as he feels up to it.