In my opinion, the best beds for dogs have the "collar" around the edge, like monablair's and flatcoat's pictures show. My dogs find it quite comfortable to rest their heads on it.

Shaun - i forgot i wanted to comment about your cat Bobo...he looks ALOT my my GB (goldenboy) he recently passed away. They're both really pretty. That's really sad when they go.

My 12 YO Schnauzer, Howard, has a pink donut bed that we hide behind a chair in the family room. He likes the privacy and can get away from the cats & the other dogs.

I bought a huge round cushion bed at Costco for our yellow lab Zelda. She's on it 50/50...but usually laying next to Daddy on the sofa. We just got another (LARGE) yellow lab, Max, who doesn't like a bed...he prefers to lay on the floor at our feet (or on the window seat in the living room when I'm not home and he's snuck in there).

We've got granddogs (a pug, a doxie and a chihauhua) that come to visit, and the chihauhau likes to lie in the middle of Zelda's huge bed.

I do like the beds at Costco, they come in nice fabrics that coordinate well with your decor.

Oh, I love the pics here as much as the stories! I agree, you have to know the dogs habits before you even think of buying them a bed. Turk is our second dobie, and they love to curl up into balls when they sleep and to lean against something. We bought him this bed (actually, it's the 7th bed we bought him; he chewed up the other six!). The corner-type bed fits his sleeping style and fits the space, too. This pic is from Orvis, and is NOT our dobie.

{{!gwi}}
On the other hand, when we bought DD her tiny little Tibetan Spaniel, we bought her this bed before finding out her habits. Chloe likes to spread out when she sleeps (she really does have a spine). Chloe ignores her beds, or sleeps like this on them. She usually sleeps with DD at night and on any chair or sofa that's comfy enough for "Her Highness" during the day.
{{!gwi}}

For us, anything fluffy and soft, when there are no other alternatives, is claimed and used as a bed.

Many people have made the point it isn't a big deal. But as long as it functions to their needs: soft, washable, ect, I don't see why I can't find something that is less visually offensive than what looks like the aftermath of a pillow fight.

I have looked at the beds that are carried by the pet stores and places like Wal-mart, but they just aren't us. I am not one of those fanatics that is wildely obsessive about my dogs, I just want a nice house for the adults. I like the idea of repurposing something, but I need to think of the right thing. This is difficult~ but I am glad to see there are many in my boat.

I made a couple of round jobs with 3" - 4" high edges. They match the curtain fabric and are all washable.

Oh sheesharee isnt it so sad to lose our sweet friends? Bobo has been gone for 2 yrs now and I still think of him so often. He was 14 yrs old when he died.

I hope Goldenboy and Bobo are friends now! Does that sound silly?

Oh I'm loving the direction this thread has taken - these pictures are a hoot!!! I'd take a pic of my Cajun in his bed but he sees a camera and runs for the hills.

Jakebedy your Kato just cracks me up!!! Just like a guy - look at me, look at me!!!

I saw this in the pottery barn catalog. It is a dog bed built into a storage unit.

Here is a link that might be useful: dog bed

Caroline! Your dog is hilarious. I had to send that photo to my dh at work where your dog is splayed across his "papa's" chest and they are BOTH sleeping. How did he manage to sleep with a heavy dog like that on him?? haha

All of these photos are so wonderful!! I love animals!!!

I think simplicity and blending in works best for me. I considered an elaborate bed, but in the end, I wanted the ability to tuck Baxter's cushion away and the ability to move it when I want him to stay in the kitchen.

Baxter still has a crate. For now, it has a crate cover that blends with the wall. His bed is a simple cushion that matches the main color of my rug.

There normally isn't a bonsai on top of the crate. :)

I keep the cushion under my desk so it's out of the way

I'm not sure what your dog's size is but if he's small, maybe this would work? I've seen them elsewhere for larger dogs but right now can't recall the site.

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: dog bed table

Oh my, the pics are so wonderful. Here is my pound puppy who I tell every day I wish I had left her there. She is a PitMation, we think a Pit/Dalmation mix with a little Lab mixed in and a whole lot of Jack Russel Terrorist. Who knows. Shasty is sofa trained, bed trained and my leather recliner trained, she will sleep very comfortably on all of them. Here is her bed between the armoire and a chest under a window. I bought this wonderful lamb skin a few years ago from Sam's Wholesale, and it got a little dirty, so quess where it ended up. Of course on the dog bed. I walked into the living room one day and found this.
{{!gwi}}

And one day when my daughter was sick, her they are on my little sofa.
{{!gwi}}

I love the pictures!

This was the cats bed, but Zelda got jealous...

So Kiddy-Pop had to find a new place to nap...

Enid figured this is a good place to nap...

and this is the last nap that Howard (the dog) got to nap with Chipotle. Chipotle got out and was hit by a car the next day. We miss him sooo much.

And lastly, this is the granddogs favorite place to nap at our house...

Thanks for the chance to share our fur heads.

Well 2 Christmas's ago I decided to make dog beds so I could pick out the fabric to look nice in our living room. Well, they turned out well and I was very pleased at having dog beds that blend so beautifully. That lasted about a week, then the corners were eaten off. I took them away(to the trash)and that was that.
I tried again 3 weeks ago with beds I found at Sams club, made of memory foam with nice covers and they really love lying on them. And not eating them. They have never been allowed on the beds or furniture because I don't like that and they are big dogs and there is just no room!

Caroline! Your dog is hilarious. I had to send that photo to my dh at work where your dog is splayed across his "papa's" chest and they are BOTH sleeping. How did he manage to sleep with a heavy dog like that on him?? haha

All of these photos are so wonderful!! I love animals!!!

I can't help with an indoor bed BUT .... if you are looking for something for outdoors? Saw this yesterday on CL:

Here is a link that might be useful: dogarondack

Kats love seeing your golden. Our 10 1/2 yr. old golden, Abby, just died in January. We still have a lab/shepherd mix and a cat.
I wanted to ask you about your beautiful island in your kitchen. Where did you find it??? Is it an antique???
That's just what I'm looking for for my kitchen.
Thanks!

CooperBailey, your photo made me think of this one...

Harry often eats his beds, and thinks it's very funny.

AKTillery...Yes they're both hilarious and often sleep together in strange places and situations. Like this one...

Forgive me, "I'm just wild about Harry," and can't help myself from posting his photos. Harry was asleep, until I grabbed the camera.

Caroline, Man do I know that look! They do think things are funny! We are absolutely crazy about our two goldens Cooper and Bailey. They are too funny! What personalities all or our dogs have here! We often curl up in front of the fire on the floor with our pups- since there would be no room for us and a 76lb and 95 lb dog! I can't help post pics too. Kinda like a new grandma with grandkid pics! I was going to take a pic this morning of them sleeping but as soon as I get up they do too! LOL

Well, Amos and Andie live on this loveseat on flannel blankets I made for them. When we first got dogs they weren't supposed to be on the furniture, but, yea, that didn't happen. When the grandog visits, she lives wherever she wants to.

Amos and Andie
Miss Lola

When I brought Baylee home at 8 weeks old I never thought of a bed for him.

I guess I just assumed he would sleep down on the foot of the bed. He did.
He is now 2 yrs old and sleeps next to me , head on a pillow and covered up.

I have bought him several nice beds but he wasn't interested.
I have never seen so many beautiful furry cuties. Wish they were all mine !

Sjt...Amos and Andie are precious! I have a Shih Tzu and
just goofy over him.

Mr. Dud (almost 16 now)likes the crate, as long as, I don't shut the door

sometimes they like the chair, and the boys are fine with that as long as she STAYS up there

Shaun - it is sad. GB was 17. Even sadder we have a cat that's 3 that just loved him. She's a 'special' kitty. Vet said she was born with brain damage. She sways back and forth when she walks. (I tell her it's her model walk!) anyhow, when GB passed she looked for him for days. They both really love water/ice cubes...now since he's gone she is ALWAYS sleeping and hanging out by the water dishes. I'm sure GB and Bobo are friends now!

I didn't have a chance to read all posts, but ironically, in www.clarionledger.com home section, they have an article about this same thing. They had a picture of a furniture crate (looks like an end table) from www.orvis.com. In fact, Orvis has several to choose from.

All of your precious dogs are so cute, but I really love the Golden Retrievers. They are without a doubt the sweetest dogs in the world.

Thanks everyone for making me laugh and cry all at the same time. We just sent our boy "Buddy" (16 yr old yellow Lab)on his big vacation to "Rainbow Bridge" on Dec. 27th

4 yrs prior Dec. 14th 2003 his partner in crime..."Yanni"
12 yr old Golden...went on his "trip"....They had brought
us such joy....anyway, we had the dog bed saga also...
they did seem to like the bolster edge type to hang there
head and neck over though...

Pet lovers are the best people IMHO :-)

Great photos and stories!

As much as I hate to admit it, "Boomer," our spoiled yellow lab, pretty much makes himself at home anywhere......, including our bed.....(Hope this picture isn't too big! I'm still new at the posting pic. thing! Great pictures everyone!

I know this is an older post, but wanted to add my two babies in thier dog/ bed sofa.

Cute pics, everyone! Are those your protection dogs, Alicia? ;-)

IME, dogs sleep wherever they like and that often doesn't include that dog bed you paid so much $ for, but DOES include your favorite couch.

This is a great thread. I can't stop laughing at some of these pics. All the animals are so cute! Ben will sleep anywhere! He usually sleeps at the foot of the bed. He feels the cold and usually curls up under a blanket or throw.

Mush - he's got a rough life, doesn't he? LOL!

These pics have totally made my Monday morning! :)

One of our beagles loves a plush bed, but the other won't have anything to do with it if the couch or our bed is a choice. We have two beds in the kitchen for them during the day when we aren't home, and one in the bedroom for Sadie at night. I choose colors that coordinate with my decor, but the biggest thing I do to keep them out of the way is pick them up when they aren't in use! For instance, when we're home neither of the dogs wants to be in the kitchen, so those beds go into the mudroom. When we're awake Sadie won't use her bed in our room, so we slide it under ours.

I guess it's like closing the armoire doors when we're done watching television; because the room is returned to its finished state, the temporary changes for use don't bother me so much.

You'll think I'm crazy, but I think half the battle of getting my dog to know where he is to sleep is all in the *presentation*. Get their attention and then say in a big, sweet, loud voice, "Look what Mommie has for YOU!" as you lay it on the floor. Make sure they KNOW it is THEIRS! It has worked for me every time!

My dogs hang out in my office in their beds. I work from home, and they follow me everywhere!

Great pictures!

My cat likes to stuff herself into shoeboxes. She's a little on the plump side so it's pretty funny to watch her get comfortable. Anyway, I decided to knit her a fuzzy box/cat bed. I used the Felted Box pattern from Mason-Dixon Knitting, and picked colors to coordinate with our LR. This might work well for those of you with cats and small dogs.

It's working really well so far. Now I have to knit another one for the other cat because he keeps trying to get in.

Here is a link that might be useful: Example of the felted box--not mine.

This is so great. Please keep sending in your photo's. AnnKatheryn, what cute dogs you have. They look like bookends in the picture. And please tell us what paint color that is too!!
Thanks

alicialeo, the paint color is Restoration Hardware Sycamore Green. I love it and used it both in my office and my master bedroom.

Snow can sleep anywhere

{{!gwi}}

Brutuses,
How cute it that!! I love your new home that you are building. How is it coming along? Love the front and back porches the most. I was just in Summerville SC, and fell in love with the south. Good for you!!

Thought I would jump in on this discussion. The first picture below is a dog bed built into a piece of furniture at a bed and breakfast where we recently stayed. And yes, Maisie, our westie went with us to the very nice B & B. The next pictures are what we use at home. We use it as an endtable in the living room. It is from a company called hardwood hideaway. Maisie and her humans are very pleased with her new den.

Ncamy, my male Westies (Jake, Jack and Teddy) have fallen in love with Masie. They and their sister Westie Zoe are very jealous of all of the nice beds on this thread.
Lynne

My mom had a Westie and my sister has one now. Such cuties.

I felt bad because my dogs don't have real dog beds. Today they have a bed of snow. Ahhhhh, spring in MN.

Beautiful dogs Kelly. I hope they have a dog house to hide in.

Alicia, what kind of dog is that? Such a cutie with those big eyes!

Don't worry paint chips. They are indoor dogs and spoiled rotten. One is on the couch right now and the other is snoozing on my bed.

Just making sure. I have never been sure what people up north did when it got cold. The first time my dog saw snow, she refused to walk on it. LOL

They are both Chihuahua's.
This is Lola

And here is Piglet

alicia, thanks for the compliments on the house. It's coming along slowly, but surely. We pray we'll be in by year's end or I'll be committed!! We're getting ready to paint and install the crown molding. Lots and lots of painting. Ugh!! I curse that we wanted a house with so much detail, but I know in the end we'll be happy.

Kelly,
My dogs miss the Chicago snow. Right now our weather is ideal, but the Florida summers are long, hot and humid. Everyone gets more energetic when it's cooler.

uxorial, I have a "teeth-showing" dog too - it's normal for his breed, the Keeshond, to display a submissive grin. The breed is nicknamed the "Smiling Dutchman" because of this habit. Believe it or not some people think the dog is snarling at them because s/he is showing teeth! Sometimes when he is very happy playing with DH he'll roll over and peel his lips back so far he's showing both sets of gums, and if he's VERY excited he bares almost every tooth and "clacks" then together. :-)

He's also another one who would happily sleep in a snowbank if we let him. If it's snowing we have to rattle the treat box to get him into the house!

In our last house we had one of those beige fake-sheepskin bolster-beds in the corner of the living room for Goku-pup, and a crate in the bedroom (he took well to crate training). He responds to placement cues too, so "go crate" or "go bed" gets the appropriate response. The fleece thing looks so terrible in this house that I haven't put it out, although the crate fits nicely in the mudroom. The "giant pillow" kind of beds just don't do it for me at all. I've been thinking about one of the types that looks like a miniature couch but not sure if I can justify the price; Target has some kids' couches that might actually fit the bill, for much cheaper.
{{!gwi}}

Random-kitty preferred cardboard boxes for sleeping in, although shortly before she left us for the Bridge I finally convinced her to sleep in a cat bed. She was also welcome to sleep on whatever furniture she wanted to - she was family, after all.