Comfort Space

Your pet may have a favorite chair, rug, crate or even a lap that brings them peace and comfort. Friday, my little dog, loves to kick back in a crate while the other dogs roam the house during the day. But her “lights on” crate of preference is not her own. At night, she knows she has to sleep in her own space, but during the day she prefers to usurp someone else’s. While we have not figured out the reason for her behavior, the dogs seem OK with the situation so why get involved, right?

It’s should be no surprise that the capitalism has answered the call for interesting, comfortable, unique, décor-friendly and sometimes expensive spaces for our pet’s to call their own. With a wide array of products and even DIY ideas for your pet’s personal space, the number of options for cats and dogs has grown tremendously in the last 5-10 years.

Lots of fun feline furniture is available. From cat condos, trees and modular playgrounds to gyms, there is something to please even the most discerning personality – all of which are complete with superior surfaces to relieve the “itch to scratch.” These cool inventions have hiding spots, sunbathing areas and
offer cats the ability to climb or perch high in the air because we all know cats think they should be above everybody else!

For the canine crew, the choices are insane. From crates designed to look like end tables to plush eco-friendly bed pillows and custom-built outdoor doghouses, your imagination is truly the limit! From the pet owner’s perspective, some of the most appealing choices include oversized pillows that are “made to match” and cleverly designed furniture pieces with hidden crates. Prissy little dog? No worries, there is an option for that too! Positioned in the corner of your favorite room, Taj Mutt Halls (of sorts) stand in all their glitz and glory and scream “I am a little spoiled” to the world.

Never-the-less, regardless of retail, pets do have minds of their own. So while we may invest as much in their space as we would in a set of new tires, we must keep in mind that there is no guarantee that a furry family member will cozy up to the latest trend in specially designed pet square footage. Often preferring to pick their own space, your pet’s coordinates for comfort may be in your bed, on top of the silk-covered heirloom sofa, on your most expensive rug or in your lap. My dogs love the kitchen floor, where they lie in the middle and force me to step over them over and over again.

The lesson is that space is important to our pets and while we can provide choices, the personality, willpower and preferences of the pet will always prevail. And if the doggy chaise lounge you had made to perfectly match your duvet sits empty while your dog lies on the bed, curled up and stealing half the pillow… Then, you already know what I’m talking about!