Pet Beds: Did you create or buy?

paws4life · 01-05-2009, 07:51 PM

I could not be a decent pet owner without providing some sort of pet bed for my animals. Looking back over the years, each of my pets had a place to call their own.

My first pet, a small Maltese, had a store bought pet bed. It had foam edges covered in cheap, blue fabric with a small cushion inside. My little guy slept there contentedly until he realized that my bed was much more comfortable.

This same Maltese had to have knee surgery late in life, and for this, I sewed my first pet bed. Time and thought went into his special bed. It was essentially a beanbag made out of pillow stuffing and covered with burgundy fleece. He spent his days on the beanbag and his nights in my bed.

A couple of months after sewing that first pet bed, our canine family grew by one rescued Poodle. She was 6 months old and matted all over, but appearance did nothing to dampen her charm. It was decided she needed a haircut and a matching pet bed. During the day, both dogs slept on their beanbags and at night both slept in my bed.

The next year we added a stray Cocker Spaniel. Tired of stuffing and sewing, I bought some good foam and made a simple slip cover. He was safe, cozy, and well fed. During the day, all three slept on their beds and at night all three slept with me.

The next year brought a stray Shepherd mix. Her hips and lower back were misaligned. For the pain she must have suffered, this classy dog was so quiet and gentle. So another foam pad was constructed for her. She had her pad during the day, but at night my bed was officially full.

The next year brought a cat! None of us saw that one coming. But of course, someone had thrown the kitten out and what was I to do. I made her a nice cushy pad inside one of our old letter trays. She used it, but most of the time made her bed wherever she wanted. And every once in a while, at night, the cat would somehow find room in my bed.

Last, but not least, came the outside dog. This toddler of a dog was the happiest, bounciest thing you have ever seen. His bed, the new doghouse, was empty all the time. When the weather turned cold, my husband built a doghouse over him in the flowerbed where he always lay. He loved it! After we filled the “new” doghouse and the original doghouse with shavings, he slept in both houses. My husband was just glad he was not in our bed!

The moral of the story is this, no matter what you use, make sure your pets have a comfy place to call their own.

Pet Beds & Other Pet Accessories - One Comfy Pet

Squishy · 01-05-2009, 08:52 PM

I am a new dog owner, so I am probably buying too many toys, etc but we just bought a Cesar Milan orthopedic dog bed for our new dog yesterday. He seems to like it. At first he slept on the floor with his head on it, but later he got fully onto it and stayed that way all night.

Well almost all night... at one point he decided to jump in bed with us. Ha Ha! It's like sleeping with a horse, so we don't allow him to sleep with us. I took him back down and then he spent the night on the new dog bed.

-Mike-

GeorgieGirl · 01-05-2009, 09:19 PM

Lets see....all the dogs (7) have their own crates complete with beds...yes plural....beds! They stay in them while we are at work. At night well, they sleep in bed with us. We have a queen and a full so that way everyone can fit. But they seem to like to cuddle so usually Im the one who can't move. They also have their prefered spots so often Im a pretzel since they range in size from 12 to 90 pounds!

paws4life · 01-05-2009, 10:52 PM

I love that we can spoil our dogs! Thanks for the replies. I don't think I would know how to fall asleep without one of my dogs near.

OtterTail · 01-06-2009, 12:00 PM

I have so many dog beds it seems a bit insane! Most I made or at least have made multiple covers for them. I complain to my pack all the time about having to wash and stumble over all of their beds - but they want to be with me wherever I am, so there has to be enough beds to please everyone - right? LOL!! At night 3 of them manage to squeeze onto our double size bed with my DH and me. They are all Labs. I don't think the size of our bed matters much -- no matter how big it was I would only get the outside 6 inches!! .... Dog! Who needs 'em? ... hahaha!

paws4life · 01-06-2009, 05:56 PM

I am so thankful we have a king size bed now! We started with a double size.

GeorgieGirl · 01-06-2009, 07:23 PM

You know you need help when you have to beds to accomodate everyone and you still have to cling to the edges!! I've woken with paws in my mouth, snouts in my ears, and cold noses warming themselves in my back. You coundn't pay me enough to make the dogs leave and sleep elsewhere! I can't sleep unless in touching at least two and know that everyone is present and accounted for!

rubyred92 · 01-11-2009, 10:10 PM

My Doberman has a beanbag and an old comforter during the day, but as soon as I go to bed, she's right there with me. In a twin size, it's pretty packed. Sometime this spring we're breeding her and plan on keeping a pup. When that happens I definitely won't be able to move! :]