The other day I was reading an article entitled, “How to Get a Better Night’s Sleep”. Since I have no sleep problems, I have no idea why I was reading this except that I tend to read whatever print I chance upon, the chronic reader syndrome.
I got as far as the fourth recommendation for good sleep. It admonished, “Do not allow your pets to sleep in your bed.” I immediately laughed and stopped reading.
I sleep every night with three guys, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. My first guy is Guy, our oldest, gentlest and sweetest cat. Many years ago, we heard a car pull up in our driveway. By the time we got to the door, the car was gone, but a lovely, gray cat was at our doorstep. We let him in and immediately knew he was a treasure, a perfect gentleman and a perfect bed cat in every way.
Stripe is my second bedfellow. He was a feral cat who roamed around our house for several years, stopping off almost daily to eat in our garage and sleeping in on bitterly cold nights. He would not let me get close to him, but I patiently tried to narrow the gap between us. And then one day, he let me get close enough to pat his head. He decided on the spot that being petted was an incredibly wonderful sensation and began leaning into my hand asking for more.
I subsequently made a deal with Stripe. If he would give up his adventurous, wild and free life, I would give him all the petting he wanted. Stripe began his indoor life and I had an overwhelming sense of relief. I would no longer have to worry about this beautiful boy being hit by a car or being eaten by a predator.
Stripe’s a live wire, always wanting to be behind the other side of any door he is behind. Stripe sleeps beside me but frequently wakes up to be petted or make sure that dawn will arrive on time.
My third guy is, of course, my husband. He is blessed with the amazing gift of falling asleep instantly and getting back to sleep immediately if something (perhaps a cat) interrupts his sleep.
In my opinion, the sleep article was nonsense. A good night’s sleep is possible while sharing your bed with pets. But one problem does arise. Whenever I am in a hotel room, I wake up frequently during the night, feeling around for something that is missing…something warm, furry and comforting.
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