No-Napping Human Disrupts Snoozing Time

I have lived with my human since I was a puppy, which is more than enough time to understand her habits, her routines, and her general approach to life. Over the years, I have made allowances where necessary, as one does when sharing a home with someone who means well but does not always make the best decisions.

However, there is one matter I have never been able to fully understand, and after years of careful observation, I believe it is time to say something about it. My human does not nap.

This is not a recent development. This is a long-standing pattern of behavior that I have quietly monitored from the beginning. At first, I assumed it was temporary. Puppies are taught to be patient. You observe, you learn, and you trust that your people know what they are doing. So when my human remained awake during perfectly acceptable napping hours, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and believed she would grow out of it.

She has not.

What makes this situation more confusing is that I have also had the benefit of a proper example right here in the house. Snack Dad naps. He recognizes a comfortable chair when he sees one. He does not fight the feeling, and he does not question it. When it is time, he simply settles in and allows the nap to happen, which is, in every way, appropriate behavior. I have studied his technique carefully and give it a solid 9 out of 10.

This has allowed me to rule out several possibilities. It is not that humans are incapable of napping, because clearly they are. And it is not that the furniture is unsuitable. At this point, I can only conclude that it is a choice.

Over the years, I have conducted what I consider to be a very thorough study. Mornings begin normally. I take care of important business outside, I check the yard, come back in and have breakfast, and then I settle in for a restorative nap. This is followed by a late morning nap, an early afternoon nap, and, when needed, a brief evening rest before bedtime. These are not excessive. These are appropriate. Snack Dad, when available, will participate. My human will not.

Instead, she moves from room to room. She sits down but does not lie down, which is where she goes wrong. This creates a problem for me.

Under normal circumstances, a nap should be deep and uninterrupted. It requires a certain level of confidence in one’s surroundings. However, when a member of the household is moving about unnecessarily during established rest periods, it becomes difficult to fully settle. I find that I must occasionally keep one eye on things, just to be sure everything operates as it should.

I have demonstrated proper technique countless times. I have napped on the rug, on the couch, in the sun, and in the exact spot where she was just sitting. I have provided clear, consistent examples of how and when to rest. I have even positioned myself in doorways to ensure maximum visibility. Snack Dad has, on occasion, reinforced these lessons by napping in a chair nearby, which should make the expectations especially clear.

She never follows through.

At this point, I must conclude that this is not confusion, and it is not even stubbornness in the usual sense. It is simply how she has chosen to live.

Still, I will continue to do what I know is right. Snack Dad will set a good example, and I will maintain a proper and consistent schedule. My human has chosen a different approach to the day. I do not agree with it, but I have learned to work around it. Bless her heart. She means well.