Blogger buddy Diane shared this NBC News article on our blogger group page, “The secret to a good night’s rest? Let sleeping dogs next to you” The article discusses a University of Toronto study that found that dogs do not interrupt human’s sleeping patterns. In fact, the human is more likely to disrupt the dog’s sleep than the other way around. Also, “we feel safer with our dogs, hinting at “a deeper evolutionary history” between humans and dogs, said study co-author Ming Fei Li, who was a graduate student of evolutionary anthropology during the research.”

This doesn’t surprise me. I commented that, “My dogs used to sleep with us. Unfortunately, with my senior dog, he can’t sleep in our bed anymore..I miss it so much.”

When I first adopted Barley, our shih tzu, I was single, had never had a pet, brought him into my bed the first night I brought him home and woke up to him licking my face. The thought of him not sleeping in my bed, never occurred to me. I hadn’t heard about crating them or that letting them sleep in your bed might cause control issues and I’m so glad that I didn’t know about the “rules”. Besides waking me up with kisses, Barley used to nestle behind my legs while I slept. Sometimes, it felt as though he was trying to get as close as possible, or closer than possible, and, it was a sure-fire way to ensure he was firmly nestled in my heart.

When Gavin (husband) came along several months later with two dogs – Miggy (Miigwetch) and Callie, Miggy hopped into bed with us. Callie, who was a bit bigger, would plant her face on the bed and insinuate she wanted to come up. Gavin has suggested I wouldn’t let her up, but I don’t think that’s true.

There were the logistics of having two dogs in the queen size bed at my place. Gavin had a king size bed at his apartment, at the time, and that certainly made it more comfortable with the dogs. That depends on what is meant by more comfortable. Sure, there was more space for two humans and two dogs. However, having the two dogs cuddled in the middle of us, was quite comfortable for me, even in the queen size bed, thank you!

Gavin used to joke about it (the dogs in the bed) being too much but I don’t think he ever really minded. Callie left us in that first year together (about 11 years ago). Barley left us about a year and a half ago. Miggy (mini schnauzer) is still with us (poo poo poo) but with age and the loss of many of his senses, fear of him falling off the bed or tumbling down the stairs, plus his incontinence which requires doggy diapers, has relegated him to his doggy bed downstairs. He is no longer in our bed. Have I mentioned I miss it?

I can see why the University of Toronto study found that humans can feel safer with their dogs in their bed. If a snuggly, warm, little, love bug, that doesn’t ask for anything in return other than your body heat, doesn’t make you feel safer, calmer, more relaxed, then what does?!

Does your dog (or cat) sleep with you? Do you think it affects your sleep in a positive way? I hear some cats get a lot of their steps in at night. Sometimes “over” their humans. Is that right, Cate?

What are your evening wind-down rituals? I know we’ve blogged about this before in a group post about winding down,  but I’m reaching again for help.

My Garmin watch keeps suggesting that in light of my demanding, stressful days that I develop a wind-down routine. I’ve asked here before about de-stressing exercises.

But maybe there’s more to winding down than exercise? (Joke. I know there is. I’m just not very good at it.)

I am good about putting my phone away when I go upstairs for bedtime. I do some stretching and mobility exercises. I can’t read in the evenings because of my eyes but I potter and tidy while listening to audiobooks. I usually watch one show. These days it’s Slow Horses, Dark Matter, or Ted Lasso. I’ve just finished Ride or Die, Strange New Worlds, and Dalliance. (Friends have recommended Lanterns, Spider-Noir, The Other Bennet Sister, Detectorists, Leftovers, and Dark. Anything you’d add to the list?)

But back to winding down in the evening,  aside from watching our favorite shows.  What do you find helpful and relaxing? What’s your bedtime routine?

You know it’s an exciting find when you immediately start thinking of who you can bring with you to ride it next year and when it makes sense to come again. Friends, get ready for invitations!

We loved loved loved the Old Railway Bike Trail | Algonquin Provincial Park.

It’s short, just 16 km, so it’s not worth coming just for the trail, but as part of an Algonquin camping trip, it’s perfect.

It’s a rail trail, but it’s not boring. The trail runs through the forest, not along Highway 60, except for one very short section. It’s not dead straight or completely flat. I love the curves and the bumps on the trail.

Here’s the official trail description, “The Old Railway Bike Trail is a leisurely family bicycle trail during spring, summer and fall. During the winter, the trail is a multi-purpose winter recreation trail. For most of its 16 kilometre distance the trail follows the abandoned bed of the historic Ottawa, Arnprior, and Parry Sound Railway, opened in 1896 and decommissioned in 1959. The Old Railway Bike Trail runs from Rock Lake Campground to near Cache Lake.”

As usual, our photos don’t do the twisty bits justice because we were too busy riding.

Neither of us is a technically skilled cyclist, but we both love off-road riding. Lately, I’ve been thinking that one way to describe the trails we like is as fun but not dangerous at all, like mountain bike paths designed by cyclist parents for their kids.

Oh,  if you don’t have bikes or don’t want to bring bikes with you,  they also rent bikes. Shout out to the staff at the bike rental booth who fixed Sarah’s brakes when we were going to rent a bike because her brakes were stuck on. Thank you.

I think it’s one of my favorite full body exercises. It’s great for all body strength and conditioning. See here.

What is it? “A farmer’s carry (also known as a farmer’s walk or loaded carry) is a full-body strength and conditioning exercise that involves holding a heavy weight in each hand and walking for a set distance or time.” (from Gym Shark)

I feel like I’m training for carrying all the groceries in at once.

Lately I’ve been feeling strong doing them with 40 lb kettlebells. The big challenge is grip strength but I can do two lengths of our gym, down and back.

Anyway,  just when I was feeling strong,  this video came across my newsfeed.

Wow.

WOW.