Grandpa and Pip Both Drifted Off in the Big Recliner
Grandpa is deep in an afternoon nap, his head tilted against a soft tan recliner and his plaid flannel rumpled. Pip lies draped over the armrest right by his shoulder, paws tucked and eyes closed, a tiny tan-and-gray puddle of contentment. Behind them a television sits dark, and a wicker basket and a framed photo fill the shelf.
Slippers sit on the floor and a box of tissues waits on the table. It is a room built for slow afternoons, and the pair look perfectly at home in it.
Dogs sleep a lot, often twelve to fourteen hours or more a day, and small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers usually love a warm spot close to their person. If your dog naps on furniture, a soft blanket gives her traction and keeps the chair cleaner. Small dogs can injure themselves jumping down from high spots, so a step or ramp can help. Many older adults find a pet's gentle company comforting, and a sleeping dog is one of the calmest sights there is. If her sleep patterns suddenly change, a quick chat with your vet is a good idea.
Nobody is checking the clock. The nap will end when it ends. The television can stay off. The only soundtrack is the soft rise and fall of two sleepers breathing together. When he wakes, there will be a stretch, a yawn, and a pat for the dog, and the afternoon will move along as if it had never paused.
