Scratching Before Bed

Word from Wiese

16 August 2023

Breezy, our rescue dog of 18 months, accidentally ripped a mattress pad. Fresh out of the laundry, the cover was strewn on the living room floor with the rest of the laundry waiting to be folded. Looking like a comfy place for a nap, Breezy launched her rest-time ritual: she walked in circles a few times (no problem so far) and then used her sharp claws to paw, paw, paw at the fabric. Ooooh, rip! Do your dogs do the spin cycle as well?

Witnessing Breezy’s (destructive) dance, I was motivated to research what’s behind her doggy disco. Here are three possibilities, all inherited traits from our pets’ ancestors:

On guard! Ancient ancestors of our pets were constantly on guard for predators. They positioned themselves in order to keep a close watch on their environment, likely circling according to wind patterns that would allow them to pick up the scent of intruders. Family members are protective of each other. By turning around they can survey the surrounding area for family or pack members that are slow to gather and take one last look for predators before settling down for the night.
Temperature control. Unlike our pets today who live in the comfort of our climate-controlled homes, their ancestors didn’t have this luxury. In colder climates, wild dogs and cats circled to wind themselves into tight balls to conserve body heat. Wild dogs would also circle to reposition snowbanks to use as a wind block. In addition, other pack members gathered together in a tight circle to share body heat. In warmer climates, wild dogs and cats would scratch at the ground to clear away soil and grass that held the heat from the day. Removing the topsoil exposed cooler soil underneath, giving some relief from the heat.
Comfort and to ward off unwanted guests. Preparing a comfortable “nest” at night meant patting down tall grass, moving prickly underbrush and rooting out rocks, sticks and even unwanted guests such as snakes or poisonous insects.

I gotta say, learning why Breezy behaves that way softened my frustration over her ripping our mattress pad. As a dog, she was simply being faithful to tradition and doing her best.

Breezy’s bed-time ritual got me thinking of the way many of us humans go to bed at night. While I don’t worry about scorpions or snakes hiding in my family’s mattresses, we do wish our children a peaceful night sleep, without the cares of the day keeping us up too late or scary dreams waking us up in the middle of the night. For instance, I still remember the prayer my parents taught me and I, in turn, taught Luke and Morgan:

Dear Father in heaven, look down from above. Bless mom and dad and those who I love. May angels guard over my sleeping. And when the morning is breaking, awake me, Amen.

Angels guarding us is a comforting thought for a good night’s sleep. Or how about the blessing we teach our COS preschoolers at weekly chapel?

Blessing with preschoolers. May God be in my head, may God be in my heart. May God be on my left, may God be on my right.

Certainly, we want God’s presence, pulse, and protection constantly. Or how about the evening prayer suggested by Martin Luther?

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things.

Or how about my wife’s suggestion that we share with each other three neat things that happened that day before going to bed?

Question: How do you prepare for bed each night? Dogs like safety, comfort, and connection with “their pack.” Do you agree? How do you connect with those values in addition to the God who gave you that day, gives you the chance to slumber, and will give you a new day in the morning?

Your partner in Christ and Breezy’s friend,

Pastor Fritz