[WishingOnAStar]

Hi...My name is Jeanne and I'm new to PC. I live in Michigan, 54, and I've moved home to take care of my parents, one who has had to be moved to a special facility for Advanced Alzheimer's. Life is pretty sad, but the one constant in my life is my best friend and confidant, Molly...my precious rescue dog. Molly was found while looking at dogs on the Internet in local shelters. She was pretty shabby, but I saw great potential. I adopted her, got her in tip-top physically, gave her a beautiful "makeover" and she is absolutely adorable. No one could have asked for a better dog...can't imagine why some would drop her off in WalMart's parking lot...I guess they lack compassion. Luckily, they estimate she was alone for only 11 days, but that is 11 days too man.

Anyway, my question is this: Molly is going to be 8 years on November 3rd. She has always followed me wherever I go...which is usally on my bed. Often she will stretch out on "grandpa's" bed because it is bigger and a bit cooler. Lately, she has decided to spend ALOT of time UNDER my very small twin size bed. The space she is in is very low and small as I use it for storage. Basically, there is just enough room for her...she can barely turn around. She has decided this is where she wants to be most of the time...it is also where she goes when we have thunderstorms.

Do you think this is okay or do you think something is wrong? She has never done this before, with the exception of storms. Otherwise, she seems to be doing okay, although she isn't eating quite as well as usual. She loves to play and go for walks, so she still seems pretty "normal." What do you think? Should I be afraid and have her seen by her vet or just realize that maybe she just needs her own space to feel safe. I miss her company. Thanks for any suggestions you might have for me.

Blessings!

[Marla500]

it probably would be a good idea to take her to a vet if you can, if she does have a little something that needs attention, like an infection or something like that, it would be good to catch it as soon as you can. also the vet can tell you if she's just stressed. best wishes to you

[SunnyD]

Whenever I get on my bed, my medium size dog is under it. I guess she wants to be close to me since she is not allowed on the bed. She does not fit but she manages.
She must seem to feel safe there. My dog was deathly sick and she was under the bed then too.
Maybe having your dog checked out would be a good thing.

dogs like confined spaces..it makes them feel safe...like a den.

is one parent home? or are both in a facility? if one is still there..is it noisy? stressful, unsettling? how long have you lived there?

chances are there is nothing wrong with her except that she just feels safer under there...it might be quieter, more protected, hidden etc.

as a rescue dog we never know what their total history is...she might have come from a home where there was an nill person & it upsets her some (or maybe not) perhaps this time of year bothers her...you have to guess some with rescues.

if she is fine activity wise, eating well, no change bathroom habits, personality..except for going under the bed i wouldn't worry so much. nor would i try to coax her out from there unless she spends 24/7 & it really seems to control her.

perhaps you are stressed too..dogs feed off of that...& she doesn't know how to handle that as well.

my one basset used to sleep on the bed all the time..but now that he is a little older & with a back issue & now a younger dog he crashes under the bed (+ when he is pissed at something he goes under there)

if concerned take her to the vet but i would keep up her walks play time etc if she seems fine & giver her attention otherwise & just leave her..it might just be she has found her place.


stumpy

[WishingOnAStar]

Hi Stumpy ~ Thank you for all of the helpful comments. My dog, Molly, is usually at home with either my Dad or me...she usually is never alone. When she is frightened by thunder, she does head under the bed (the same place she is going now for some reason) until the storm passes. I hadn't thought too much about the stress factor, but there is so much stress in our house due to my Mom's upcoming move to a nursing home from an Assistant Living Facility, her Alzheimer's getting more severe, my Dad and my sadness over her situation, my Dad's broken heart watching his wife fade away, my recent medication poisioning, etc. - LOTS OF STRESS. Molly usually gets very affectionate to me when I am upset, but she might, like myself and my Dad, be overwhelmed herself. Her eating has not been the best, but other behaviors have been pretty good. I plan to watch her over the weekend and if she continues to not want to eat, I may just call the vet and inquire. We have also had a lot of heat here in MI, so many things factor in. I really do appreciate your input...it was quite helpful. Thanks again and take care.

Blessings ~

[WishingOnAStar]

Hi SunnyD ~ Thanks for writing. I find it precious that your dog sleeps under the bed to be close to you....you sure can't beat a dog's love. One thing I had worried about was that Molly (my dog) didn't have enough room under my bed, but if your dog handles things in a confined space, I guess it's nothing to be too concerned about - they wouldn't do it if it were uncomfortable. I am going to watch Molly's behavior for a few more days and then talk to my vet. I would hate to have something going on and not be aware of it. She is usually very predictable when it comes to her behavior. I hope this is just from our warmer temperatures here in MI or just something new that she decided she likes. Time will tell. Thanks again, and take care of yourself....and your doggies!

[WishingOnAStar]

Hi Marla500 - Thanks for writing! I have decided that I'm going to watch Molly's overall behavior the next few days and over the Labor Day weekend. If she continues to "hide" and not eat well (something new), I will definitely get in touch with her vet. She is usually quite predictable with her behavior -- when she doesn't feel well, you know it. This has been different since she still likes to play and go for walks and runs to greet me when I come home from being away. I am hoping it is just from the warmer weather we have been having or the extreme stress that has been going on in out house. She has had to be on Xanax once before because of the storms...maybe they will have to give her something for her stress...I don't know. I just don't want her to suffer. Thank you for caring. Take care of yourself and enjoy the upcoming holiday.

Blessings~

[Queen of Chaos]

My beds are all what's known in the South as "high butted". They're quite high off the floor and all have dust ruffles.

My pug considers being under our guestroom bed as his private sanctuary - so much so that I covered 1/4 of an old egg crate foam mattress pad with a sheet and made him a nice little man cave!!

We recently had to brake the bed down and before I put it back together I wrapped felt around the slats so Jimbo wouldn't bump his head!!