Why I Let Tucker Sleep With Me

When we first get in, he cozies up real close, usually lays his head on my leg, my shoulder, or my chest, and is very respectful. More importantly, he is warm, cuddly, and with Mike often working til the wee morning hours, he's an appropriate bed buddy that won't land me in divorce court. It's one of the most peaceful, tranquil parts of my day. However, after a few hours the bliss is gone. I'm usually awakened by the discomfort of a large mass pressing against me and the covers forming a turniquat around one of my legs. What I find is Tucker has completely claimed the bed and has systematically shoved me right up to the edge. Any attempts to move him are met with dead weight and then the battle ensues. First I have to break free and unravel myself from the spider web of covers I'm trapped under, then I have to literally sit up and push him with all my force back over to his side of the bed. The funniest thing is, he pretends to be in a dead sleep. Yes, I said pretend. I know I tell my classes all the time that dogs are not calculating, but I tell you, he should get an Academy Award for this performance, because I am quite sure if I were opening up a bag of treats he'd spring out of that bed like greased lightening. So, this may go on a couple of minutes, and then we are back to our peacful co-existence, until Mike comes home and kicks him out of the bed entirely!

But we do this dance every night and will continue to do so? Why? For those first few tranquil, peaceful moments that I simply must have. No matter what has occurred during the day, those moments make everything seem alright. Those moments helped get me through Bryan's illness. Those moments help get me through a hard day at PNI.

Tucker will be 9 years old in September. I will continue to cherish every night he is still here and able to shove me to the edge of the bed.

Pet Food Recall

I couldn't agree with you more. Why isn't the public made aware that these so called high quality foods are not high quality? Isn't that false advertising? I've read the ingredients and they sound as if they are okay. I think I'm going to start making the dog food myself. (Of course I can't cook worth a darn and perhaps the store bands would be safer.) But this last recall has really got me thinking. It is not easy changing food diets for 5 cats. They are particular and won't even consider eating a piece of chicken. The dogs no problem they will happily eat just about anything. My challenge is to find a truly high quality food that doesn't have corn in it. One of my dogs seems to have a food allergy. Any suggestions?