Starting a little after 10:00am until around 3:00pm is quiet time in the dog pack. Everyone sleeps.
Human beings are diurnal. We feel most energetic during the day. Cats are nocturnal. They are most active at night. Dogs along with deer and rabbits are crepuscular (from Latin creper, dark). They are most active at dawn and dusk.
For most modern Americans this makes dogs a good fit for our lifestyles. When we rise in the morning they are rarin’ to go. They’re ready for a morning jog or breakfast or whatever. During the day they sleep. They really won’t miss us that much while we’re at work. And then in late afternoon they’re ready to go again–to greet us when we return from work.
Each of my dogs has a distinct sleeping place and style. Jenny, our alpha female, prefers to sleep so she can keep one eye on me and one eye on the door. She’s guarding us. Jenny occasionally talks in her sleep. I’m sure that when she does she’s dreaming. Probably happy dreams of chasing squirrels or rabbits.
Mira, our baby, prefers to sleep in her crate. She’ll seek it out without being prompted when she feels like a nap. It’s a happy, safe place for her. Another favorite place for her is right behind my chair when I’m working.
Tally, Jenny’s daughter, prefers either the upstairs bathroom or the guest bedroom as her sleeping place. I think she like the upstairs bathroom because the tile feels nice and cool and the room has such wonderful smells. The guest bedroom is a lovely, quiet, sunny place. Of course she likes it there! Who wouldn’t?
Qila, our male, will sleep nearly anywhere. Frequently he sleeps on his stomach, resting his head on one paw. Sometimes he sleeps on his side. When he is the happiest and most at peace he sleeps flat on his back with his front legs tucked up and his hind legs splayed. All’s right with the world!
