January 31, 2018

White Dog suggested that Tizenegy be given full choice privileges when it comes to where he sleeps. All new recruits sleep in our bedroom on a comfortable oversized orthopedic mattress that is set up so that we can draw a gate to enclose the area.

We do so to know where the newbie is through the night, to restrict him/her going out through the dog door into a dark unsupervised yard, and to increase the sense of safe packness.

After a several weeks we begin leaving the gate open but call the recruit to the spot to "go to bed." Teez has progressed to being very good at going to the corner spot for the night.

During the day, Tizenegy never goes to that corner bed nor does he seem to have a particular attachment to it. Instead, he prefers a similar mattress in the office, next to Steve's desk. He spends most of the day supervising my activities as I work. The WDA acknowledges that is "his" space; a space that he will only reluctantly share with Opal.

I believe this is the space he would claim for "his house" at all times including the nighttime if given the option so WD's suggestion was a perfect opportunity to test my theory.

Steve called Teez to bed in the bedroom but told him. "After treats you do not have to stay, you may go back to the office if you choose." He must have understood as he followed Steve out of the room to where White Dog awaited her goodnight snack in the office closet/her bedroom suite. Tizenegy immediately curled up on his usual spot and looked questioningly at Steve. "It is OK if you are comfortable. If not, come back in the bedroom." Then Steve turned off the light.

He spent the night there, and rushed into the bedroom at the first signs of stirring. "Right outside," Steve told him, just as he does every morning. "You were such a Big Boy," I said to him. "You can now sleep anywhere you please, Sweet Baby."

We will see what Tizenegy decides for bed accommodations over the next few days but it would be wonderful serendipity if Teez moves his night spot to the office just in time for Roman's arrival. Given Roman's history, I will be a very nervous momma for quite sometime regarding knowing where he is.