Nightmares

[Davis102583]

I am new to this forum, I was wondering if anyone has a pet that wakes them up when having nightmares? I have a German shepherd who is 8 weeks old I have had her since she was 2 weeks old. Last night I had really bad nightmares, now keep in mind my mother who stays with me generally wakes me up and I startle awake jump out of bed ready to kill the world. Well last night during my nightmare my 8 week old German shepherd layed her neck across my throat and started to whine at varying soft tones "almost like a mother does to calm a baby" sounds insanely crazy I know. But instead of the usual startled awakening I slowly woke up and could feel the vibration of her "singing" and could feel her warm soft puppy neck lightly resting on mine and started to rub her ears and then slowly drifted back to sleep. As crazy as this sounds it was an amazing comfort to me. Has anyone had a similar response from their pet? Or am I bat crap crazy?

 

[Eagle3]

Sounds like you have a natural Service Dog. That's something that working dogs are trained to do, but its rare when the dog does it that young and instinctively. Congrats! Train that pup right and you'll have a GREAT asset to help you. I had a dog who was a natural at recognizing low blood sugars. depression, shutdowns, and anxiety. I shaped his natural behaviors, trained him for public access, and turned him into an official Service Dog. he was the best dog ever, and helped me get through college. Those kinds of dogs are rare, cherish them and help them realize their full potential. Good luck!

 

[ladee]

No you aren't crazy. What a great pup you have!! She is a natural!

I have a dog I rescued. And she also seems to know when I need her to distract me. She has never been trained, and in fact, had a very hard life before I got her.

So great to hear that you were comforted and was able to go back to sleep.

Sometimes our healing path is blessed with miracles we never expected and come in all forms, shapes and sizes. Very happy for you and your wonderful loving companion!!

 

[The Albatross]

I do. I have a sibling pair of felines and their feral sister who was rescued just the day after I adopted the two kittens from my veterinarian. So I ended up with three in my lap as I was beginning to recover. The sisters usually sleep snugged up in front and behind me and the little feral sleeps on my feet. If one is absent they will move when I have nightmares... always one to lay on my feet and Elsa my epileptic will head butt me or even nip me if I can't wake. Once roused I can ground and pet her til I calm and can fall back asleep. Elsa, Grace and Nicoal were 10 just a week or two ago. How or why they do it is kinda a mystery but I'm glad they do.