Catchy title huh? Hopefully I got your attention! As the second post in The Pawsley Team Blogs feature (here’s the first, by Suzanna, if you missed it) I wanted to share an article I came across yesterday about sleeping with your pet – sure to spark some controversy between those that do and those that don’t. No matter where you stand on the topic, please speak your mind and leave a comment!
Who's Mike sleeping with?
Mike’s Pick: Here’s an Atlanta Journal Constitution post about the dangers (probable?…I’m not so sure) of allowing your pet to sleep on the bed with you.
Article: Sleeping with Your Pets: Cuddly or Gross?
Why I love this article: “Love” isn’t accurate. Rather, I find it very interesting. Particularly the fact that (1) animal-to-human disease transmission is a legitimate concern, and (2) “among dog owners, 53% considered their pet to be a member of the family, while 56% of them admitted they sleep with their dog next to them.” Objectively speaking, there’s probably a case to be made that many of us are guilty of “excessive” pet care (myself included) – but so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, who cares if I choose to buy Maeby a $1,000 dog bed encrusted in gold when she probably can’t tell the difference between that or simply placing a towel on the floor! However, the whole pet-in-bed thing is where I draw the line.
Am I worried about contracting some crazy disease from Maeby? No (she licks my face already!). I choose not to let her sleep in the bed because we live in NYC, which is disgusting. You can only imagine the “stuff” she brings into our apartment after a long walk that includes sidewalks, curbs, Central Park, a lobby, and an elevator…each and every time. Yuck. Not to mention our (human) bed is small enough as it is. Contrast this to my parents (who often watch Maeby while we’re away) – they choose to let not only Maeby, but also a 60 lb Yellow Lab named Misty, sleep with them…and their bed is no larger than ours. I have no idea how they do it! To each his/her own…
What are your thoughts on this? We’re not PC or anything over at Pawsley…speak your mind! 
I couldn’t help but think of parents who allow their children to sleep with them in their beds (and those who don’t allow it at all)… I wonder whether there are any side effects (positive or negative) on the dogs’ behavior and development when they are allowed to sleep with the owners?
Either way, I’m with you Mike… it can get yucky!
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