It is Chrissy Carew's nightly ritual. She and her five dogs all bunk up tight for the night together.
"I consider them full-fledged members of our family," says Chrissy.
A new survey shows 56 percent of dog owners in the United States let their dogs sleep next to them. Researchers point out that could lead to a real nightmare - health hazards.
"Sometimes we forget that they aren't our children," says Dr. Bruno Chomel. "They are pets and also they have their own life and there are diseases that can be transmitted."
Veterinarian Bruno Chomel is one of the lead authors of the study just published by the Centers for Disease Control.
Researchers tracked people who had close contact with their dogs and cats, either sleeping next to their pet or allowing their animal to lick and kiss them.
In rare instances, some caught illnesses like the plague, rabies, bacteria resistant infections, meningitis and cat scratch fever. More common diseases that resulted were ringworm and intestinal parasites.
Dr. Chomel says people most at risk to catch an illness from a pet are the young, the elderly and those who have a weaker immune system.
"You always think it will never happen to me, but when it happens to you it can be very sad and very bad," says Dr. Chomel.
Eric Marlowe Garrison knows it can happen. He caught a terrible case of ringworm on his foot. The culprit was his roommate's cat.
"The experience to me was pretty awful," says Eric.
Eric says the ringworm changed the type of close contact he will have with pets.
"It has certainly taught me a lesson," he says.
Medical experts say one of the most important things a pet owner can do is keep your dog or cat "flea-free." The insects bite and spread disease.
"Anytime human beings have close association with animals including their pets there's some risk, but it's very, very small," says Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Dr. Schaffner says his cat sleeps with him and the study results will not change that. Chrissy makes sure she keeps her pets very clean and plans to continue her doggie sleepovers, despite the survey findings.
"My pets will continue to sleep with my husband and I forever and ever, we love it," says Chrissy.
Remember that researchers have also found that pets have tremendously positive benefits on people's health like reducing stress and anxiety.
Experts do agree that it is very important to make sure your pet does not have fleas or ticks, is healthy and gets regular check ups.
If your pet appears sick, limit close physical contact until they are better, and always wash your hands after petting or allowing an animal to lick you especially areas where you may have wounds.
