Who’s your reading Buddy?

Do you have a reading buddy? A best friend who loves nothing more than snuggling up with you whilst you read? I do, I have two spaniels (and my better half Mr T). Looking around on #Bookstagram I can see there are lots of book addicts reading with a book buddy (mostly with four paws). 🙂

So who do I read with?

I’m ‘owned’ by two Working Cocker Spaniels, Poppy and Coco.

This year has been a tough year for everyone. I don’t know about you, but I have read more books than ever this year. For me, reading has been a welcome break from the news, the worries and the stress of the 2020 pandemic. A little escape from the crazy world whenever I needed it.

My reading corner is my sanctuary and somewhere I crave to be as much as possible. Also, I can’t fall asleep without reading at least one chapter of a book. Reading at bedtime is something I have done my whole life.

Snuggled up in my reading chair or bed with my dogs is definitely my happy place. I was thinking about this earlier today and thought I’d share why I love reading with my dogs.

They keep me warm (whether I want it or not!)

As soon as my backside settles in my reading chair there’s a scrabble of feet as two spaniels charge towards me, racing for the prime reading spot. Spaniel belly’s are a great alternative to a hot water bottle. Great in the winter but hell in the summer (or during a menopause heat wave)!

They experience the book with me

I love how my dogs react when I read:

• When I laugh out loud – I hear thump, thump , thump as two spaniel tails hit the side of the chair
• If I take a sharp breath (that plot twist moment) – I see two spaniels sit up straight, heads tilted staring at me. ‘Is she ok?’, ‘I don’t know let’s keep an eye on her.’
• When I get something in my eye (ok maybe a little tear or two), Coco jumps up and licks my face clean and won’t stop until the tears stop.

They aren’t quick to judge

My dogs don’t care that I wear nerdy reading glasses. They aren’t bothered about what I wear, PJ’s it is then. They don’t judge me if I’ve had a hard day and been a little grumpy. They simply snuggle up when it’s book time and gaze at me with those gorgeous eyes as they drift off to sleep. I am their world and they remind me of that every single day.

They are good for our health

Reading with dogs is good for our health. I know with my own dogs that I feel calmer, my busy head slows down and I begin to relax and unwind. With my ‘girls’ wedged against my sides and my head in my book, I’ve left the real world behind for a while.

So what about you?

Do you have a reading buddy? Either Hooman or with Four Paws? Maybe you’re in a reading club or prefer to read alone at the end of a noisy day. Whatever you do, make sure you prioritise YOU and YOUR reading time during December’s busy festive season. Happy reading.

Oh and I hope Santa brings you a stack of books to kick start 2021.

Miche xxx

Read my review of Butternut Box

My dogs absolutely love Butternut Dog Food. Fresh ingredients with no nasties, they are thriving on Butternut. So much so I wrote a review on my TouringTails.co.uk (Travel with Dogs blog) and there’s a 50% discount to share with you too.