Let Sleeping Dogs Lie...

[Carol and Banjo]

We've been spending a lot more time indoors the past week and as a result Banjo has been sleeping alot!    I'm really surprised at just how much of his day is taken up with Laying Around Doing Nothing!

It's difficult to tell just how soundly he is sleeping and being the nosy curious person that I am I've started "testing" his levels of alertness.   For example this morning as DH and I were having coffee, just sitting around talking about our day I noticed Banjo was in a dream state.   You know.....the funny little half-woofs and the four paws flicking as though he's running after something.   So right in the middle of my sentence to DH I slipped in the words..."and then we'll go bye-bye in the car"....WELL!   Banjo's head popped up whipping around to look at me with that "expectant" look they have when they think something really good is about to come their way!   It was hysterical.   I've been doing this all week ... using other key phrases like ..."do you want some cheese"....always getting the same result.   But this time I really thought he was in a deep sleep....catching rabbits in Doggie Dreamland.   Now I'm feeling a bit sorry for the little guy....wondering if he ever really gets a good night's/day's sleep.   I wonder if dog's have the same stages of sleep we do.    Anyone know?

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Hilarious!  I am going to test this out on my boys!

[Camilla and Darwin]

That is so funny! I want to try this out on Darwin. His favorite phrase "Do you want some lunch??"

[Carol and Banjo]

Actually.....with Banjo it's   "Do you want....."   The ears always perk up and the head tilts....it's so cute.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Gosh, with two I feel differently. I never EVER interrupt their sleep, because then they wake up and are ready to go. Plus, if I say, "want to go for a walk?" they both get so excited and then I have to deliver the goods. I love my sleeping doodles...LOL!!!

Of course, if you tell me Banjo goes right back to sleep after these "tests," then I really am coming to get him and leave one of my Doodles with you :)

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh gawd....how do I decide....Vern....Fudge....Vern....Fudge.....I couldn't possilbly pick!    Banjo has become so laid back.....fits right in with our life style!

[Pat and Traveler]

Funny, Carol!  I've done the same with Trav.  When he was sound asleep and I'd been talking about something else, I slipped in 'Wanna go for a walk?'  Wow!  What a reaction!  I have no idea if dogs have the same sleep stages we do, but it's an interesting question.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

That's so funny.  I am always thankful when Riley goes for nap time, usually in the middle of the day that I am reluctant to do this test on him though it would be fun to see what reaction I'd get.   I have no idea about sleep cycles in dogs but it would be interesting to know.  Riley's favorites are 'want to go walkies'? second one is 'lets have a cuddle'

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I laughed out loud from this, Carol! I thought I was the only one who used the phrase "Bye-bye in the car" with a dog!

"Do you want...?" also gets a head tilt from JD!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thank you Karen......I'll let DH know I'm not the only nut on the planet!   : )

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

So funny!  I'm wondering if crating makes a difference in how soundly they sleep.  I'm assuming that if she's out in the open, Sedona has to sleep with "one eye open", in case "predators" show up, but if she's safe within her "cave" she allows herself to sleep more soundly.  Don't know if there's any science to support this, but it makes sense. 

[Carol and Banjo]

I've wondered that as well Deanna.  I've tried to test him in both situations..always with the same results...the only time I haven't "tested" is the middle of the night....I'm not THAT curious! LOL!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Yea, I'm not willing to do a middle-of-the-night sleep study either!  Sedona's a good sleeper and would probably just go back to sleep, but why mess with a good thing?