A nice bed can make your dog feel more at home

I bought a dog bed once. My rescue German shepherd sometimes slept on the wooden floor for part of the night, mostly I think because it was cooler for her. But for awhile she seemed to get more restless during the night, getting up and walking around to sleep in different rooms of the house.

I thought a dog bed might help her sleep better. A friend mentioned she had just gotten a new mattress for her futon. So thinking that might be the answer, I went to the futon mattress factory, gave them the dimensions I needed, and they cut a mattress down for me.

But it wasn't what Cocoa wanted. I got up one morning and she had moved the mattress so she could sleep in her usual spot on the floor.

We did, however, solve her nighttime restlessness. When we took the newly placed throw pillows off the couch, Cocoa settled back down to sleeping in the living room - on the couch.

Since dogs should have a place where they feel comfortable, protected and safe, a dog bed may provide that. If you're looking for a dog bed there are lots of them to choose from. They vary in size, from small to extra large; filling; style; cover; and price.

You can choose your dog's bed according to his size and weight. When I purchased Cocoa's adapted futon mattress, my contact at the factory told me to measure her width and length. Orvis suggests also measuring the height of the bed itself. Many dog bed providers give the measurements of their dog beds to ensure a perfect match with your dog.

Dog beds come in rectangles, circles or squares, with or without bolsters and nests for the dog who likes to snuggle. There are elevated beds, heated dog beds and beds with memory foam, Polyfil and anti-bacterial filling. Some dog beds have mattresses made by nationally known mattress companies or orthopedic mattresses that support your dog's joints.

Dog beds have a range of covers, too, ranging from faux fur, to covers for chewers, to an outdoor fabric that sheds water and can be removed and washed.

Bed covers can also be monogrammed or personalized. There are even made to order "luxury" dog beds, that look like couches, chaise lounges and canopy beds with silk throw pillows. There is even a bed in the shape of a New York taxi cab.

If you prefer, you can make your dog's bed.

Emily Refermat, Fetch Magazine, notes, "There are instructions to make pet beds just about everywhere."

To make an inexpensive dog bed, you can use fabric bought on sale or old sheets or drapes sewn together. For filler, use old sleeping bags, cushions or pillow foam and then make a cover that is machine washable.

I found instructions for making a dog bed using an old sweatshirt. There are also videos showing step-by-step instructions.

There are three styles of beds to choose from, including pillow beds, ortho/foam beds and bolster beds. When deciding which bed is best for your dog, Refermat suggests you consider if he likes to burrow (pillow bed), prefers to lean against something, (bolster bed) or just wants to lie on something soft (foam bed).

Refermat provides directions for making all three types.

The pillow bed is made from a single pillow, or several sewn together for a larger dog. Her directions for a flat, firmer bed call for old foam cushion, new upholstery foam or cutting inexpensive egg carton foam to size and gluing thicker pieces together for a thicker pad.

For a bolster bed, which looks like a couch with a pillow for your dog to lean against, Refermat cites directions from Carol Duvall, which can be found at diynetwork.com.

Whether you buy or purchase it, your dog will enjoy his own bed. He will have somewhere comfy to snuggle and dream doggy dreams. My dog prefers "his chair" in the living room. From there, he can sleep and look out the window.

Each of the dogs and cats at the Buddy Foundation shelter would love to have a warm, snugly bed in their own home. To help us care for them until they find their own family, join us at our upcoming events at the The Buddy Foundation Shelter, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights:

• Valerie Valentine: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, photos and bake sale.

• Easter Bunny: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, bake sale and photos.

Come and meet some of our dogs at the Meet & Greet Dog Adoption Events:

• Saturday, Jan. 24: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bentley's Corner Bakery, 90 S. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights.

• Sunday, Feb 8: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Graham's Pet Depot, 1000 Elk Grove Village Center, Arlington Heights and Biesterfield roads.

Don't forget Buddy's 20th Birthday Party on Thursday, Feb. 26, at DRINK (formerly Alumni Club), 871 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg.

For more information on all upcoming events, call The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806.

• The Buddy Foundation is a not-for-profit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused, and abandoned cats and dogs. For more information, call The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.