Well, thought I'd share this first with the group.
The other night, we go to bed a bit on the late side - like 2 am. And it's cold in the house at night because we turn the heat down pretty low - so I will confess that the dog, Puckster, tends to sleep on the foot of the bed in winter. Yes, I know it's bad. He does have a big "sleepie" cushion, complete with a fleecey pet throw on it - which he uses - bui it's in the corner, and sometimes I guess it's either cool, or his pack desire which has him with us. So, it's a big king-size bed, and we keep a coverlet folded at the base for the dog (I have issues with linens and cleanliness if the dog really tries to get "in the bed" - so seriously - I'm constantaly changing the duvet cover to alternate with the winter blanket). But, for the most part Puckster tends to curl up either behind someone's knees or we push him to the foot on the coverlet. It's fine. In the morning he sniffs around - comes and sticks his big nose in your ear and sniffs - I guess that's checking to make sure we're alright.
Anyhow - the dog, as most dogs, sleeps pretty deeply, and easily. He tends to get on the bed while we're getting washed up, and then one of us has to forcibly move him - because if he's soundly asleep it's like a 60# dead weight - and even if he wakes a bit - in the drowsy state he's not cooperative (stubborn male).
Point of story. We've seen the dog have little daydreams - laying on his side - suddenly his feet start twitching, he makes little whuffling sounds - we figure he's dreaming of running, chasing something (he is a field dog). It's cute - sometimes his lips twitch. Very cute.
Suddenly, at 4:50 AM - I bolt upright - as I hear what sounds like the hounds of the baskervilles. The dog, between us at foot of bed, is laying on his side/back - head extended and baying at the moon. Fast asleep. Really. Fast asleep - and baying this long, lowing, howling, sound - for at least 30 seconds. Then just stops, and he's doing the doggie whuffle, little occasional snore thing. To make this even better - neither he nor the DH woke-up. Though, DH reached over in his sleep and shut his alarm off (which led to his being late for work though he made his meeting). I promise - this dog did not wake up - at all. Only once before has he howled like that - in tune sort of singing - with a passing fire engine. His mother evidently sings at sirens. But, I've never, ever had a dog howl in it's sleep.
Strange. Just thought I'd share.
ellice