She had this very motherly energy, which is weird to say about a horse. I just always felt like she was going to take care of me. The two even had the same birthday, April 1, though Blumer was 8 and the horse - whom she called "Fancy" - was 12.
Sharing a bed with your pup can strengthen your bond, and for many people, waking up next to a happy dog is one of the best parts of the arrangement. But, according to Pet MD, there are practical factors to weigh before deciding. Dogs often stay alert even while resting, which means they may wake easily and disturb your sleep when reacting to small noises or shifting around during the night.
I recently came across a discussion on social media about how people refer to pets and what this says about their ability to respect the animal's needs. The discussion shifted to how people define themselves in their relationship with their pets, and it became quite heated. While some saw no problem with using the term pet parent, others considered it problematic for imposing a human framework onto the animal.
Horses are deeply emotional beings and have been shown to be able to help adults and children heal from a variety of psychological and physical conditions. 1 For this and other reasons, I was very pleased to learn of a new collection of essays compiled by Colorado State University Professor of Clinical Studies Dr. Lori Kogan in a book titled Equine-Assisted Services: Studies Illustrating the Potential Benefits for Children, Adolescents and Adults.
Melissa Milanak, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, noted that while pets can be comforting, many pet owners report sleep disturbances caused by their animals, revealing a complex relationship between pet companionship and sleep quality.
