Max has always loved snuggling, especially bedtime cuddles, and he slept next to me for years. This probably is leading you to picture a happy dog drifting off to sleep next to his owner who also has a peaceful smile on her face, a hand gently resting on her dog’s side, and tons of room in the bed to spread out if need be.
That is definitely not how Max sleeps! He spreads OUT. He takes up as much space as possible and will even pretend he has to go potty in the middle of the night so that he can steal my warm, cozy spot!
Some nights I would be falling off the bed or have a little sliver of a spot left over to sleep. Did Max care? No way. He just stretched his legs out even more, taking up any possible open space. If I tried to move him, he would squeeze his eyes shut super tight and pretend he was sleeping!
Over the last year, Max has developed arthritis in his knees and hips and has trouble jumping up onto the bed. He has an orthopedic foam bed right next to my bed now, and he seems to enjoy sleeping on it. I think he misses stealing my spot, though!
Max recently discovered there is an entire bed that is not being used at all! (Guest room!) It isn’t very high off the ground, so he doesn’t have much trouble climbing into it. This pup has been sneaking over there and pulling down the sheets to make himself a cozy bed!
I think he is trying to tell me that he needs a bit fancier of a bed than his current foam one! What thread count does he prefer? How firm should the mattress be? I’m sure he has a list of everything he needs for a perfect bed. For now, he fell asleep on his puppy bed. We will see if he sneaks out in the night for the guest room!
The Boxer Mama 