When Palmer was 6 or 7, he had already recovered from his knee surgeries. His knee was no longer popping out on him.
We have one of those higher beds. It was too high for Palmer to get up there on his own, so I got a set of those carpeted steps that they sell for pets. Those worked great until the past 2 or 3 years when his jump was not quite as high and he kept hitting his knees on the foot board when he climbed the steps. (ouch!!) After that happened a number of times, I started lifting him up and off the bed. He was able to go down the steps longer than he went up the steps.
Well, this crazy dog was mad! He would get frisky while he was on the bed. He would decide he wanted to run. He'd suddenly take a flying leap off the end of the bed, and except for missing the cape, he was stretched out just like Superman! That was quite a jump since the bed is at least 3 times as tall as he was.
He'd be off and running and acting crazy. If you didn't have shoes on, but had socks on, he was going to attack your feet. If you dropped a sock, he was off and running and there was no catching him. He'd just shake his head with the sock in his mouth.....and almost be laughing at you.
I may be repeating myself-at bedtime, when the lights went out, he'd snuggle up against me or Bob. He'd stay there until he got cold and then he'd move up between the pillows. Next change would be to go completely under the sheets. He'd stay there until daylight. If it got too hot under there, he'd come back out.....and start the process all over again. One morning, I was awake but my eyes were still closed and all of a sudden I got this big kiss!! I opened my eyes and there was his little head resting on the corner of my pillow....looking so loving, with his deep brown eyes.
Because of his presence on the bed since forever, I guess, going to bed has always been kind of special. He knew when I came in that I would bring a little treat. He'd patiently wait for me to get settled and then I'd feed it to him in tiny pieces....because that way he would chew it. If you gave him larger pieces he swallowed them after only one or two chews. When we got through with the treat, he'd turn around and put his back against mine. For some reason, Palmer always wanted to have his back to you. No matter where he settled down, I'd be looking at his back. I'd like to say he was guarding me, but I know that was not the reason. I don't know the reason, but I often thanked him for sharing his butt with me!!
So-going to bed now is very sad. Every night I cry a little. I even put off going to bed because of that. Then when I wake up, sometimes I am sure I hear him at the foot of the bed. That was his morning spot. I get caught by surprise sometimes because I look expecting to see Palmer....and he's not there. I've even thought I heard him.
We're going away for a week. I'll be thinking about all you wonderful people....even though I won't be writing here. I'll get back to you when I return. Hugs and hugs to all of you and great thanks for all your comfort.

-Susan