Pillow Pals

JULES IS MY PILLOW PAL!

When I was a stray, sleeping was always a big issue. It was an issue because of safety and it also involved a matter of life and death. If I slept too soundly, I might not hear the footsteps of the dog catcher and if I was caught, I would end up in the pound. In the worst case scenario, I might be put to sleep if I had spent too long a time at the pound because I would cost money, time and resources to the SPCA. So, as a stray doggie, I never had a decent night's sleep. I often slept in some deep storm drains (risking drowning should the flood waters come), at the car parks (risking being run over by cars), near the trash collection area (risking disease). I also slept near some houses a few times, but each time, I got chased away by nasty people. Some threw stones at me, some used sticks to beat me and one particularly nasty guy even threw a bucket of water over me. I caught a nasty cold and almost died from an infection.

As a stray, I used to make my own bed out of grass, old newspapers, discarded old clothes and cardboard boxes. It was nice to have a bed as it kept me warm and dry during those cold and rainy nights. A bed also gave me some soft comfort against the hard, stony and rough asphalt road. Sometimes in my dreams, I would dream of having a nice, decent bed with pillows and cushions. But, when I woke up, I'd always end up crying because I knew that it was only a fantasy and a dream, and that as a stray, it would be impossible. In fact, I was lucky to be alive and to wake up each time I slept because anything could have happened to me while I slept out in the open. Really, sleep was a luxury and having a bed to call my own was a fantasy.

That was until I met Sharon and when Sharon officially took me home and made me her doggie! Sharon's got a heart of gold! When she first found me, I was heavily pregnant and she was so kind, she allowed me to sleep on the sofa at Mummy's living room! Wow! That was like a dream come true! After I had my pups (they were all adopted), Sharon gave me a plastic tub (for doggies) to sleep in. She'd line the tub with a nice, soft towel and I'd snuggle in each night to get my good night's sleep. Soon, I became too big for the tub and I ended up sleeping anywhere that I fancied in Mummy's house. Sometimes, I'd sleep near the door; at other times, I'd sleep in front of Daddy's/ Mummy's room. There were also a couple of times when I sneaked into Sharon's room and slept at the foot of her bed.

Then, Sharon married Jules and I moved in with them. Now, I've got two lovely owners who love me to bits! Guess what? My dream of sleeping on a bed with soft pillows is now a reality because I sleep with Sharon and Jules on their bed with them! It's so nice when I get to snuggle in between them and to smell them! I really feel so secure and it's such a wonderful feeling!

Jules loves me so much; he even shares his pillow with me! Never mind the fact that I drooled into his ears a few times! He's perfectly OK with that! In fact, he says that he likes my dog breath and my doggie smell! I tried to share Sharon's pillow once, but my tongue ended up in her ears and she had a horrid nightmare about some huge, slimy slug crawling into her ears and laying its eggs there! So, I don't share her pillow as I don't want to give her scary nightmares anymore!

And besides a pillow, I also get to be covered by a blanket! Sometimes, I'd play a game of tug of war with Sharon and Jules over the blanket and it's fun! When I feel warm, I'd walk to where their feet are and I'd sleep there. I try to walk on tiptoe, but most of the time, I'd wake Sharon/ Jules up by walking across the middle of the bed past midnight!

I love sleeping with my masters because I get lots of hugs, cuddles and kisses from the both of them! And as a reward for being an extra good doggie, Jules either sings me a lullaby or he allows me to bring my favourite toy to hold in bed! Life can't get any better than this!