Ok... it's time to ask if anyone has any suggestions for me to deal with Miss Bitchet (new name). I'm going to ask Joanne about this when I go to work, but any help any of you might have on this would be greatly appreciated.

Before Gidget started sleeping on the bed with me, she was very protective of her room (cage) at night. She didn't have a problem during the day, but at night when we'd go to bed and I'd shut the cage door, she got really vicious looking and growled and would snap at the door when I closed it. She never bit me or anything, but she probably would have if I had stuck my hand in there. After it was closed, she would just go to sleep. She loved her room, and (again) when she'd go in there during the day, I could put my hand in there and pet her with no problem.

Well... she's been sleeping with me now since Chris was here... about 3 weeks, and up until night before last, we didn't have any problems. She loves sleeping on the bed, and I love having a dog in bed with me again. But.....

In the middle of the night Tuesday, I got chilly, so I reached to the bottom of the bed to grab the blanket I keep down there. All of a sudden she growled viciously and snapped at me. I didn't want to get bit, so I threw the blanket over her head. She wasn't happy about it, but I got my blanket, and we both fell back to sleep. I was hoping it was just because maybe I had startled her, and maybe she woke up too quickly to know it was me.

However, last night while getting in bed, she sat on the bed looking REALLY vicious and almost dared me to get in. I didn't yell but sternly told her to knock it off. I really wanted to just smack her, but even if I had tried, I'm sure I would have gotten bit. She guarded half of the bed, and pretending to ignore her (as to not give her power over me) I moved a little further down from where she was and slid in. She continued to growl until she laid down (just a few seconds, but still not appropriate). Around 3:00 this morning, I got out of bed for a few minutes, and when I got back in, she continued laying down but her head came up and she gave me that same attitude. I'm at a loss as to how to deal with this. I wish she could understand the words "THIS IS MY BED NOT YOURS". I know she wants to think she's Alpha around here, but she's got another think coming.

I've decided to put her back in her room tonight. I know she's going to hate it now after sleeping so soundly and comfortably the past few weeks, but I'll be darn if I'm gonna give my bed over to her. She'll probably bark for God knows how long, so I'll have to make sure all the windows are closed so she won't wake the neighbors.

It's going to be another hot day today, so I'm going to get as much done as I can this morning before the humidity sets it. Might have storms later this afternoon, but right now it's beautiful and sunny out. It's only 8:15 and already 81 degrees. Thank God for air conditioning.

Ok... gotta go. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Love, Hugs & Belly Rubs

I'm editing this post to let you know that Joanne confirmed my thoughts. Gidget is no longer welcome on the bed. She said terriers, especially, try to take ownership of things, and as sweet as they can be, will take control over what they believe to be theirs. WELL.. THAT BED IS NOT HERS. Joanne said she could roam the house or sleep wherever she wants but not on the bed. Nope... she's not gonna sleep wherever she wants... she's going to sleep in her cage, and she can be as protective of that as she wants... it's HER room. If I left her loose at night, she'd just end up back in the bed. I miss Mike so much... I never had problems like this with him... I guess I just got really lucky with him.