Dogs need place where they feel comfortable, protected, safe

I bought a dog bed once. My rescue German shepherd sometimes slept on the wooden floor for part of the night. 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 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 newly placed throw pillows off the sofa, Cocoa settled down to sleep on that couch.

Since dogs should have a place where they feel comfortable, protected and safe, a dog bed may provide that spot.

If you're looking for a dog bed, there are a lot of choices. They vary in size (from small to extra large), filling, style, type of 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 gusset height of the bed itself. Many dog bed providers give the measurements of their dog beds to ensure a perfect match with your pet.

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

Dog beds have a variety of covers. They range from faux fur to covers for chewers, to fabric that sheds water for an outdoor bed, to removable and washable covers. Bed covers can also be monogrammed or personalized with a dog's name. 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 dog 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. For filler, use old sleeping bags, cushion or pillow foam, and make a cover that is removable and machine washable. I even found instructions for making a dog bed using an old sweatshirt.

There are three styles of dog beds to choose from including pillow beds, ortho/foam beds and bolster beds. When deciding which bed is best for your dog, 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 for all these beds. Refermat cites directions from Carol Duvall, which can be found at diynetwork.com.

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

Pets in need

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

• Pizza and Pets: July 21 and 28. The Buddy Foundation's Pizza Party and Pet Adoption event. Adopt a pet and receive a picture of your pet and family and enjoy pizza as well.

• Valerie Valentine: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 7. Photos with Valerie Valentine and a bake sale.

• Easter Bunny: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 26. Bake sale and photos with the bunny.

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

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

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

Don't forget our 20th birthday party. Thursday, Feb. 26, at Drink, 871 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg.

For information on all upcoming events, please call the Buddy Foundation Shelter at (847) 290-5806.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.