Sunspotting

AH, A SUN SPOT

Is it warmer in a sun spot? Not really. Inside the house the temp is pretty much the same in the sun spots as it is out of them. Why the compulsion for our dogs to find the sun and bask in it? The illusion of warmth? Or is it the fascination with light? I figured someone else must have wondered about our dogs seeking the sun. In our tech age an answer to a question is only a browser search away. I begin typing "why do our dogs like th..." and pages of links to articles pop up on just about every topic to do with dogs... "why do dogs like the sun" is the sixth search item in popularity being bested by why do dogs like the car, the beach, their paws, and other private body parts. I find a blogger post from January 2014. It seems fitting that on the year anniversary of this post I find an answer...here is the link. http://blog.petsolutions.com/dog-pet-care-corner/2014/1/30/why-do-dogs-lay-in-the-sun.html
A cleverly captioned photo...a priceless visual. Thank You!
And another article
http://hairyandmerry.com/2014/04/13/why-do-dogs-like-to-sunbathe-its-more-science-than-you-think/
I read these and a few other explanations of the dog seeking sun phenomenon. I'll tell you what appears to be happening with our dogs and the sun. 

FACE AND FEET IN SUN SOAK

NOSE DOSE ONLY

Dogs seek out the sunny spots for a  scientific health benefit. Liam may not know what he is getting from the sun rays yet he instinctively knows he requires it.

He also has the memory of how good he feels after his sunbathing. Makes sense to go back for more.


By sitting, lying, standing in the path of the sun's rays, Liam is getting the Vitamin D he needs. The sun reacts with the oil on his skin, converting it to Vitamin D. It would sit on his fur if he did not work at getting it in his body. LiamLicking will get that done. Ingesting the Vitamin D laced oil. Pretty efficient. More satisfying than popping a pill...
Why is Vitamin D important? Bones.


Liam's has his point of view and wants me to include it.  Okay Liam, bark it out

Liam
Our humans observe us and decide we have it easy. They watch us seek out a sunbeam. They smile as we stretch out to absorb the light. My Mom sees it as an ongoing hedonistic activity. Wait! not so easy...Just because I cannot resist the compulsion to sunbathe does not mean it is mindless and instinct driven. I don't want to be an addict of sunspots. I'd rather be playing with my toys, heating up in front of my hot air vents or watching Top Chef. To absorb my sun doses I have to stay still, then lick methodically and thoroughly and then swallow. Over and over. To speed up the process and make it less boring I have added several techniques.

1-I position myself in the sunspot, stick out my tongue to catch the sun, then swallow. This proactive approach cuts out the intermediate licking phase.
2-I look for the biggest and brightest area of sun, Quicker baking.
3-I play with my Kong bone. Diversionary fun.
4-I listen to music. Meditative.

I view the sun sessions as medically necessary life enhancers. Not spa visits. Not mini vacations. Not beauty treatments.
Work.

See the following photos for visual illustrations.

WHAT IF I SWALLOW SOME RAYS?

There. Got some. Have to shut my mouth and keep them in.


  Finding large sunlit areas I will get my Vitamin D faster.

I incorporate play time to distract myself while soaking. I play a song in my head to keep my mood light while the sun completes its job.

I play with my Kong bone.
And then I rest.
And begin again.

 

FILL IT UP, MOM

RESTING

SUN SEEKER

It never ends
Woof, Woof