Back to sleeping in the closet

Dori has returned to sleeping in the closet for the past week or so. Things were going great as far as having some sort of balance in the house between Brody and Dori. I worked very hard at maintaining that. Nothing changed... My question is this: Is it possible that Dori has just decided she likes sleeping in the closet better than in bed with me? She likes to take naps in there during the day and it is cooler than the rest of the house. When the alarm goes off in the morning she comes out of the closet and still wants me to carry her to the kitchen for breakfast and a morning snuggle.. if she were upset with me, and this were a "Brody" issue she wouldn't be doing that, right?

I guess I am feeling discouraged because I feel like this is a step backward in the constant struggle to make both animals happy. Maybe I am reading too much into it

I think that may be what's happening, Tanya.

It used to be that Cindy would spend most of the night on the bed with us and there are still nights that she does, but it's more usual for her to get down somewhere in the middle of the night, and sleep under the overhang (waterbed). But as soon as I get out of bed, she's up on the bed, demanding her morning scritches, and all the rituals.

They do change their sleeping locations from time to time, so perhaps that's all that's going on.

Between your basic disappointment that she's not sleeping with you, and your concerted effort to give a happy home to both animals, it's difficult not to read too much into a situation like this. But I think if she's still relating normally to you apart from this, you needn't worry about it.

Thanks Fran It is a relief to hear that it may be something as simple as her just deciding to sleep elsewhere. Not that I don't miss her being there, but you know what I mean. Everything else seems to be the same.. She is greeting me when I get home from work, and even waits on the sink when I take my morning shower. I think I am going to relax and try not to worry too much about it right now.

Abby has a cabinet in our basement that she loves to sleep on top of. She goes through stages of using it, or not. Whenever she does, I always feel like she doesn't want to be wtih us.

Originally Posted by AbbysMom

Abby has a cabinet in our basement that she loves to sleep on top of. She goes through stages of using it, or not. Whenever she does, I always feel like she doesn't want to be wtih us.

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That's exactly it, Karen.. because she isn't sleeping with me I feel like she doesn't want to be with me. I don't look at it as she doesn't want to sleep in the bed.... I take it personally.

Chynna loves to sleep in the closet or in the pots cupboard (I have to wash my pots before and after use ). Sometimes Abby sleeps in the closet if Chynna isn't in there.

I figure it's just a matter of preference. Maybe he considers it his "bedroom".

Do you have dirty clothes in your closet? I keep mine on the floor, and when Athena sleeps in the closet, it's almost always on my dirty clothes. If so, Dori might be being very, very friendly with you by sleeping away from you.

From what you describe, it certainly sounds like Dori is still very happy with you.

My Vinny will take his naps on a blanket we keep folded in a corner of our couch -- we call it his "Throne." It smells like us, which is probably why he loves it so much. This could be why Dori likes your closet -- because your clothes, dirty or clean, still smell like you!

On the nights Vinny sleeps with us, we love it, but if I ever wake up and find him not in bed, I'll always find him on his Throne!

Do you toss and turn frequently whiel sleeping? She could have decided you moved too much while asleep so she found someplace to curl up peacefully but still be "near" you (or your scent, at least). I'm sure she's still happy with you -- it doesn't sound like you've done anything to make her feel otherwise.