She has no thumbs, so surely it can't be that

[Jane Smith]

Ethel sleeps with her paw in her mouth.  Obviously she's not sucking her thumb, but what is she doing?

She lays on her side, then right before she falls asleep, she lifts her front paw, opens her mouth and puts it in there.  She is not licking, or chewing, just keeps it in her mouth.  I have to say it's the cutest damn thing, and I have tried to get a picture, but when I get up to get the camera, she gets up too.

 

I guess I will have to wear it around my neck until I get a good shot.

 

Any other doodles with this behavior?

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

OMD you must wear that camera on you, it sounds freaking adorable. We will be watching.

Daisy has to have her paw on Me or DH when she falls asleep in the evening, I love it.

[Pat and Traveler]

Awwww...so cute!  Trav's fav sleeping position is in a shape like a Q, curled with one front leg straight out, I guess for stability.

[Phoebe's Mom]

That really sounds precious.  You seem to have self-soother on your hands...enjoy it and please get that picture.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, Groucho Too also "sucks his foot" and he is a huge dog.  I think it is the same as sucking a thumb as a baby because it is a reassuring motion.  He puts his whole foot in his mouth and sometimes licks or chews on it, but when I check there is no problem with his foot.  It is usually his front left foot, but occasionally his right foot also.

You know, we had a cat that used to nurse an old hound dog.  The dog had puppies when we got the kitten and I think that is how she got in the habit.  However, after the puppies were long gone and the cat was an adult, whenever the dog would lie down on her side, she would lie on the dog and start kneeding her belly and sucking on a nipple.  Another type of gratification on some kind.

[Amy and Lily]

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, this sounds sooooooooooooo cute!

[Carol and Banjo]

You really have to get a pic of this...how cute!    Banjo "sucks" his paw, laying sprawled on his back every morning for a few minutes....I get such a kick out of it.

[Bonnie and Kona]

You better put that camera around your neck right now! I'm dying to see this cutie-pie!

[Jane Smith]

Definitely will have to carry the camera around.  I did catch it with my cell phone once, but it's so dark you can't really see it. 

[Jane Smith]

Here is the pic I took with my phone.  I lightened it a bit.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

OMD.....this is the sweetest thing ever!  I hope her front teeth don't get crooked...you'll be paying for little Doodle braces.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

hahahahahaha...Doodle braces!!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you so much for posting a photo! She is adorable!!!