At night he's up--tick-tick-ticking from room to room, tapping out his nighttime nerves on the floorboards until one of us comes to calm him, pet him, talk him to sleep.
Experts are consulted. Advanced technologies are researched. Wallets are opened and emptied. Tired humans are wrapped around little doggie toes.
This trend must be reversed.
In the meantime, who needs a rose window when life is heaven?
27 comments:
Poor Boz!
A brother brings his dog whenever he visits. I can hear his toenails on the kitchen floor in the middle of the night because my room is just on the other side of the wall...and usually because I can't sleep either. *sigh*
Aaaaaah. Boz looks totally blissed out. I hope for your sake he learns to sleep at night as you're in the wrong climate for carpets.
Special boots?
Looks like he knows that when his relatives sleep he has to watch and guard.
Now that is my idea of having a ball. Dozing in the afternoon sunshine - or morning sun works in a pinch.
I can feel the warmth of the sun's rays! Perhaps that pooch has the right idea?!
He only got up once last night, at about--Oh, I can't remember if it was 1:00 or 2:00. It was pouring rain but he needed to go outside. Poor thing, he hates the rain.
He used to sleep through the night. Maybe he's just getting old.
Dive, you'd be surprised how many people around here have carpets anyway. We couldn't; allergies.
He's probably got a bit of doggy Alzheimer's. It's quite usual. There is a particular drug that calms a dog. I forget the name for the moment but doubtless you are being advised. Love the photo.
Jilly, he's trying something called Robaxin. I don't think it's helping, though he's perfectly calm during the day!
I think he's hearing the coyotes at night, yearning to be wild and young again.
Beautiful, warm photo of Boz soaking up the solar rays. Glad he had an interesting day yesterday at the Blogger Picnic, fun to see you there, too!
Cliff, you're talking about me.
Laurie, it was good to see you, too. Boz also likes being where there are people and food.
That is one relaxed dog. Too bad it doesn't last after the sun goes down. I've a got a 14 year old cat who, between the hours of 4:00 am and 3:00 am, is very reluctant to move off the sofa. However, between 3 and 4 in the morning, she's a dervish.
If I slept like Boz on that pillow, the blood would rush to my head!
If I keep Abby out of the bedroom, she lies on the other side of the door with one paw underneath, so we can see it. Her forlorn sighs are too much to bear, so she ends up in the bedroom and is happy and quiet all night long. Resistance is futile.
It was great to see Boz at the bloggers picnic yesterday. Oh, and you, too!
I figured he'd go home and have a good nap.
He's such a sweet, handsome dude. All that daytime beauty sleep has served him well.
one client, who occasionally travels with their pup, brings benadryl (plain, NO apap or other additives) along to encourage the dog to sleep while driving (people drive, dog sleeps ;-) and not be so wired when they do arrive at their beach house. check with the vet to make sure it is compatible with the Robaxin and how much to give and encourage him to drink water when Boz IS awake, as he would need extra if taking benadryl.
and protecting from coyotes may be the answer, a little doggie alzheimers may also be some of it too.
perhaps you also need a concerted effort to keep him awake during the day. Ask him often: "YOU'RE not sleeping, ARE YOU Boz?"..."Wanna go for a walk Boz?"..."Want a cookie Boz?" Until he gets into a more human sleep cycle.
and, I wish *I* could sleep like that...at ANY part of the day!
wv: flooz the sound a sleep dog makes while crashing out on a doggie bed in a sunny spot!
K, I know you love your dervish cat.
Bellis, Boz has never slept in our room (long story). I don't know if we should change that now or not. Might be disconcerting to change his sleeping space. But we could ask the vet.
PIO, Boz had a very good nap yesterday.
Trish, believe it or not he's already on Benadryl for another condition. He gets that PLUS a tranquilizer. Your point about wearing him out during the day is a good one, and exercise helps. But it doesn't seem to make a difference if he has a neighborhood walk or a wearing-out walk in the wilderness.
Years ago, I took some Benedryl because I got trod on by a caterpillar. Left big tracks which ITCHED! I feel asleep while talking on the phone with a client. Maybe Boz needs a non-drowzy formulation, or taken more closely to his bedtime?
P---wow...okay. Well, they DO like to confound us, don't they? ;-) More tranq's? Or a more homeopathic remedy?
what we usually do with pups is a) make sure they are out right before bedtime to piddle, b) make sure they are tuckered out and c) no big stimulation right before bed (no playing with the blanket monster or tennis ball right before bed). If he MUST be up at night, a chew toy or treat cube to entertain him might help?
And poke the hell out of him during the day. No, you're NOT sleeping Boz! Can you get me your ball Boz? Do you want a treat Boz? SQUIRELL! (or whatever he likes to chase). Some dogs love to chase a laser pointer (if they can see it) , which keeps them rather mentally stimulated too.
Failing that...a doggie play date or two to tucker him out later in the day and not letting him sleep after to encourage him to stay asleep during the night?
Failing that...pray?
Poor Boz, aging isn't for sissies.
Maybe, Speedway. More chats with the vet tomorrow.
Trish, the laser pointer is genius. I've watched him when he saw one. It really held his interest. We may get one this week.
No kidding, Art. We're learning that together over here.
Seems there is something about night and older animals. Our 13 year old cat has recently decided that we should get up before 4 am. Of course, she snoozes most of the day.
I hope you find something that works for Boz (and you).
Poor Boz. Insomnia is the worst. I hope he finds his nighttime peace soon.
Oh Boz, what are we going to do with you. I'd give Bellis's idea a try. Would only be for one night if it didn't work. And I'm sure you do this already, but I would give him the second feeding in the afternoon, not evening.
Yes Ms. M, this is a recent change, and as far as we know Boz is roughly the same age as your cat.
He only got up once last night, Susan. An improvement.
Karin, if that's all it takes we're going to feel relieved. And stupid.
When we still lived in Glendale, our Miss Daisy used to get up in the middle of the night and literally tip toe down the hallway (hardwood floors) to the kitchen to snag some kitty food...she never touched it during the day, but come the middle of the night, she was a regular cat dish raider!!! If we happened to follow her out there and catch her, she'd jump from being startled and guiltily trot back to the bedroom and go to sleep!!!
As for cats...when we got our Calico, Sadie, she slept well until the breaking of dawn...then she turned into Osama Bin Kat!!! She would race around the bedroom, leap from the floor over me to bounce off the Chief and start the circle again!!! She has gotten older now (about 4) and is sleeping through the night just fine...our other cat, Cleo, either climbs on one of us to sleep on our chest or licks the Chief's hair (while he's sleeping) eventually, she settles down between us and is relatively quiet through the night!!!
Petrea...when Daisy was stressed (especially when we were doing our remodel) I used to give her Azmira's Calm and Relax...a homeopathic tranq...it worked like a charm and Daisy would sleep well...
http://azmira.com/ProductHerbalExtracts.htm
reminds me when my dog came back from training-
Ha! Chieftess, Boz may not be as sharp as Daisy, but just in case we hide the food at night.
Photo-sh, sounds like they worked your dog pretty hard.
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