Lady and Rambo taking up residence...

With July almost over (where does time go?) I am reflecting on some major changes in my household.

One of the changes was the departure of "Bo", the Newfoundland and Saint Bernard mix who we fostered in our home until we found him a great "forever home" with a couple and their four young sons. He was a big dog and a big lovebug at that and I do miss him!

Change number two was the completion of my very own bedroom retreat - something my husband and I agreed we both deserve, along with a better night's sleep. Let's face it, folks: getting up there in age has some benefits but it also comes with some not so pleasant side-effects and not sleeping as soundly is one of them. So, after we both swore when younger that we would never have separate bedrooms - it's a reality now! Oh, the joy of having the whole bed to myself! Rolling over without another body in the way! Not waking up because the mattress is bouncing up and down from his nightly trips to the kitchen or bathroom! Not being soaked in sweat from the heat two bodies generate! Ahhh - so nice and relaxing now; sleeping soundly and waking up refreshed in the morning!

Well, not so fast! July also brought change number three to our household when my husband suggested finding a dog at the shelter the same size as our Lady who was depressed and lonely and moping all the time after Bo left. So, we adopted Rambo, an 8 month old whirlwind who keeps her and us busy! I have to mention here, that our Lady was (and I say WAS) a girl with manners until Rambo came through the front door! She never got on our bed unless she was invited up and was perfectly behaved in all aspects of dog life.

Okay, so that's changed too! I suppose because she wanted to show the newcomer that she was truly the Lady of the House, up she goes - in my new bed! And if you think that's the end of that, think again! Rambo, being a true Arkansan male wasn't going to let a female tell him what to do! Up he goes! Well, that's when my self-preservation kicked in! No way am I going to sleep with two dogs in my bed! And kick I did! Several times the first night. Again the second night....how many nights ago was that? I thought I had succeeded several times when I saw them departing to their own pet beds.

This morning I open my peepers and stare into my husband's adoring eyes - oops!...I mean Rambo's adoring eyes! His head on the other pillow (where my husband's used to be). Lady, not to be shortchanged is taking up the lower end of the other side of MY bed! This, folks, I have not bargained for!

Guess I could lock them out of the bedroom but Lady knows how to scratch at the door. That's not the solution. Okay, folks, I'm really at a loss here! How do you keep two dogs from sneaking in your bed after you're asleep at night? Maybe setting some mousetraps on the other side might be an idea - unless my big toe ends up caught in it - or one of my "blog fingers".

I give up! Anyone know how to accomplish this very important feat - my old age survival is at stake here! Any suggestions (except for throwing them out of the house so they can keep the neighbors up barking) would be appreciated! I feel sheepish here! How did I end up trading "the BIG DOG" (my husband said to say that!) for two smaller dogs in the bed???