"Doggie Dreams"

                                                    
If you've ever owned a dog you know that they dream.  You can always tell if it's a bad one.  When my little chihuahuas have a bad dream they quietly yelp and flail their front legs as if fleeing from the doggie equivalent of "boogy-man".  When these dream denizens are after them I softly shake them awake and assure them that all is well. 

When their doggie dreams are more mundane I haven't a clue what they are dreaming of.  Of mine, I sometimes try to imagine their subconscious meanderings.  Since my Chi's love the marrow of a good steak bone or the stingy leavings of a spare rib, I often wonder if they are not dreaming of them as they lay there, smacking their lips in slumber. 

The sleeping experts tell us that we humans must dream in order to be healthy.  They cite the length of our REM cycles as a gauge of our physical and mental health.  I know nothing of how the dreams of dogs differ from that of humans but my guess is they are capable of shorter REM cycles to maintain health.  My two Chi's are of varied age; one is nearing her 13th year while her younger sister is only two.  The younger sleeps a bit less while the older one needs more frequent napping in order to maintain the strength to bark at door bells and chase birds out of the back yard. 

Since I have never heard either of my two little dogs elicit moans of pleasure I am a bit doubtful that their dreams are as exotic as are mine.  Too bad for them.  As with all those I love, I do hope my little girls are enjoying those magic carpet rides that take us to places we can never go once our feet touch the ground.

Pardon me, my eyelids are getting a bit heavy and I'll be darned if this is not a great time for a nap.....