Girl Insists On Sleeping With Pitbull Then Dad Learns Costly Lesson

Sleeping Troubles

Their daughter used to sleep on her own without any problems. However, recently, their daughter could not stand to be left alone, even if it was light out. Things took a turn once they adopted the dog. Initially, they were happy that their daughter was finally able to sleep through the night. However, they were completely unaware of what was truly going on.

He Had It All

Dex Pritchett was a proud father of one-year-old Mikaela. He and his wife lived in Kansas and he worked at a local university. His wife had a successful bakery in town and they were content with their lives.

Dex believed he had a perfect life. He was married to the woman of his dreams, they had a beautiful daughter and he loved his job. However, this all would change the moment his daughter turned five.

Considerations

The Pritchett and his family lived in a safe and secure neighborhood. They were well-liked by their community and they had a big and beautiful place they could call home.

Since they had a lovely backyard, Dex and Lindsey considered the possibility of adopting a pet. They wanted a second child but agreed that adopting a pet would be easier with their busy schedules. Problems would start before they even found a dog to add to their family.

Scared Of Being Alone

Everything went downhill the moment Mikaela complained that she was terrified to sleep in her room. She would wake up in the middle of the night with nobody there, which Dex understood was terrifying for a child.

It was understandable why their daughter was scared, assuming that she was only scared of the dark. However, Mikaela would burst out in tears whenever she was left alone even during the daytime.

Sleeping In Mom’s Room

It was a big accomplishment for young Mikaela when she started sleeping in her room when she was two years old. She wanted Lindsey to sit with her until she was asleep in the beginning, but soon after she managed to do it on her own.

Now, Lindsey felt hopeless. Mikaela would run to her parents’ room and sleep there, and there was no indication that it would end soon. The problem was worsening and they did not know what to do.

They Needed Help

Dex and Lindsey were consumed with worry, and Mikaela’s fear of being alone only grew stronger. They could not leave her alone under any circumstance, not even for a second.

They knew their daughter needed help, so they decided to take her to a doctor. They’d never make it to the children’s hospital that day, unbeknownst to them.

Fighting The Boredom

The family got ready to leave for the hospital early morning, but unfortunately, as soon as they left the house they found themselves stuck in morning traffic. To fight the boredom, Dex played his favorite CD and the family all sang along to their favorite songs.

Dex and Lindsey began discussing their plans for the rest of the day and got lost in conversation, while something life-changing was happening to young Mikaela in the backseat.

Mommy, Look A Doggy!

Mikaela managed to lift herself to the car window, and Dex and Lindsey were completely ignorant. She did not open the window and only looked intently at something outside of the car.

Suddenly, Mikaela interrupted Dex and Lindsey’s conversation and shouted, “Mommy, look a doggy!” They were more concerned with their child’s safety as she was so close to the window. However, Mikaela relented and they turned their gaze to what she was pointing at.

Divine Intervention

They were stopped right beside an animal shelter. Mikaela begged her parents to stop so that she could go pet the animals. Dex had to consider it for a moment, as they had an appointment scheduled. However, as he was contemplating his phone started vibrating.

It was the doctor’s office calling him, and unfortunately, the appointment needed to be rescheduled as the doctor was feeling ill. Dex felt as if it was a sign from the universe and began making his way to the shelter.

Their New Furry Friend

The Pritchett family began walking through the shelter, trying to find the newest addition to their family. They stumbled upon a beautiful pitbull named Silva. Lindsey had heard various rumors from her friends about Pitbulls, so she was a bit apprehensive. However, Dex managed to convince her and the matter was settled.

Silva quickly adapted to his new home. He integrated very well with the Pritchett family and they were happy with their decision. But he had a behavior that both surprised and terrified his new owners, and he only displayed it at night.

Welcome To The Family

Dex and Lindsey stopped at a pet store on the way home for supplies for their new dog. They got him the best food, a bed, food bowls, and a few toys.  

That night, they prepared a little welcome feast for Silva. They all cuddled up for a movie afterward, and then the craziest thing happened. 

Cutting Movie Night Short

Mikaela, who rarely slept with the TV on, was sound asleep on the couch. On the floor by her feet was Silva, also fast asleep. Dex and Lindsey tried not to wake the little girl up and successfully transferred Mikaela to her room. 

They expected Silva to wake up as soon as they tried to carry Mikaela, which he did, but they didn’t expect what he did next.

Settling In

Dex and Lindsey set up the brand-new bed and water bowl for Silva in the kitchen and left him there to sleep. He inspected the new bed and turned around a few times before settling in. They closed the door. 

They returned to the lounge to continue watching TV for a few hours before going to bed themselves. It was only when Lindsey got up for a glass of water from the kitchen that she noticed Silva wasn’t in his bed. 

Perplexed

Lindsey was perplexed – they had closed the kitchen door, she was sure of it. Although Dex had suggested that Silva stay in Mikaela’s room, she hadn’t been comfortable with an unknown dog roaming around the house at night. 

How did Silva get out? And where was he? Panicking now, Lindsey began to search the house room by room. 

Uneasy

After going through the lounge, dining room, and hallway, she still couldn’t find Silva. It was only when she checked Mikaela’s room for the second time that he startled her. He was hiding underneath her little girl’s bed. 

Although her husband had grown up with Pitbulls, Lindsey felt uneasy. She shooed Silva out from under the bed and locked him back in the kitchen. But Silva’s strange habit was just beginning.

Escape Artist

Even though Lindsey locked Silva in the kitchen every night, he kept escaping. Lindsey would panic each time she woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t find him. 

And every time, she found him under Mikaela’s bed. This continued for weeks. Lindsey told her husband but he, frustratingly, didn’t seem concerned at all.  

Old Habits 17

Although Dex and Lindsey let Silva into Mikaela’s bedroom during the day, Lindsey continued to shut him out at night.

Having had dogs before, Lindsey knew that it was important to teach their dog obedience by not letting him have free reign of the house at night. What had happened in his previous home that made him refuse to sleep in his bed? 

An Accident

Lindsey had made a habit of getting up every night to take Silva back to the kitchen, but this couldn’t go on forever. She had tried to train him to stay in his bed during the night, but he was insistent. 

The only other option she had was to keep him outside from now on – but she couldn’t bring herself to do that. Then, after a particularly exhausting day, she accidentally slept through the night. 

Change In Behavior

After all the sleepless nights that Mikaela had in the last few months, the Pritchetts usually kept close to her room to rush in when she woke up.

But that night, Mikaela didn’t wake her parents up. She only showed up early in the morning, well-rested and with a wide grin plastered on her face. Lindsey was relieved to see that Silva was in his bed. What was happening?

An Interesting Development 

Dex and Lindsey didn’t know what to make of this development. Mikaela was barely an early riser and most definitely not a smiling one, but today everything was different. Dex looked to uncover the mystery and installed two cameras – one in Mikaela’s room, and one in the kitchen.

Dex intentionally sent Mikaela to bed with the cameras in place. What they saw on the footage that evening would leave the couple speechless. 

To The Computer

Dex and Lindsey rushed to the computer to uncover the secret behind their daughter and dog’s behavior. In real-time on the monitor, Silva seemed to sleep soundly in his bed in the kitchen where they had left him. 

Lindsey noted that the door to the kitchen was closed, and they watched as Mikaela fall asleep relatively quickly. But she didn’t stay asleep for long. 

The Footage

Mikaela began to toss and turn, then she bolted upright. She pulled her blanket up to her chin and stared into the darkness with wide eyes. 

Lindsey’s immediate motherly instinct was to go and comfort her daughter, but she fought the urge, She wanted to see what would happen. After a few minutes, the little girl did something completely surprising. 

What Was She Doing?

Mikaela carefully slid out of the covers and got on her knees to look underneath the bed. She was doing something Lindsey always did for her to reassure her before she tucked her in at night – she was checking for monsters under the bed. 

After checking, Mikaela toddled to the open door. Lindsey thought she was coming to their room like she usually did, but she walked down the hallway instead. 

Going To Silva

With her parents watching her on the camera, Mikaela toddled into the kitchen and quietly opened the door. Silva’s head rose immediately as if he had been waiting for the little girl. 

When they realized what was happening, Dex let out a little chuckle and Lindsey began to smile. They watched as Mikaela lead Silva back to her room. 

Their Nighttime Routine

Silva followed Mikaela to her room and climbed onto her bed, carefully laying next to the girl. Mikaela cuddled into the dog in the cutest way possible and fell asleep within minutes. 

Although buying the cameras had been expensive for Dex, he was glad he’d done it to witness such a beautiful thing. He was about to turn off his computer when something else happened.

See It To Believe It 

Mikaela woke up with a start, and so did Silva. Mikaela looked around her room with drowsy eyes, her brows furrowing as she realized her parents were nowhere to be seen. 

Her lips began trembling as her eyes grew wide, but Silva whined at her and licked her face, pawing her lovingly until she lay back down. The dog licked her again and lay next to her. Dex and Lindsey watched with their mouths open as everything unfolded.

Keeping Her Company

Mikaela smiled, petting Silva until her eyes became heavy and she slept. Dex and Lindsey couldn’t believe it. 

And, in the morning, they found Silva sleeping in his own bed. He was trying to be obedient, so he must have learned to sneak back into the kitchen early in the morning.

A Strong Bond 

When they finally took Mikaela to her pediatrician, the Pritchetts learned that their daughter had a case of monophobia, the fear of being alone, which Silva was helping her get over. 

Although Mikaela would soon outgrow this fear, her bond with Silva would only grow stronger. Lindsey was worried about the sleeping arrangement in the beginning, but she soon learned that sleeping with a four-legged friend has many benefits.

Benefits

There have been numerous studies on how pets can relieve their owners’ stress and anxiety. When Mikaela felt the presence of Silva next to her, her cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure decreased.

Having a dog sleep with her daughter seemed like the perfect solution to her monophobia – but was Lindsey ready to trust a pitbull completely just yet?

A Misunderstood Breed

Pit bulls are seen as the most dangerous breed because of their wide jaws and powerful bodies, but these dogs can also be lovable, caring, and loyal – it all depends on the way they were trained and raised.

And yes, while any unsocialized dog can be dangerous, Lindsey grew to trust her daughter’s loyal companion with her daughter’s life.