The February issue of µChicago, Gut Feelings, was all about circadian rhythms and the microbiome. Hungry people, fat mice, jet-lagged microbes, and sleepy dogs.

The issue spotlighted research that suggests dogs increase microbial diversity, and microbial diversity can boost your immune system. We posed the question: Is sharing a bed with your pooch bad for your health? (Scroll to the bottom for the answer.)

We needed a dog model to illustrate this section, so we turned to our canine-loving coworkers. The issue could feature only one blanket-hogging dog, but all of these pooches are winners.

Share pictures of your bed-lounging dog(s) on Instagram and tag us (#uchicagoalumni) and sign up to receive µChicago every month in your in-box.

So is sharing a bed with your dog bad for your health? It depends.

Are you allergic? Many dog lovers are and take meds or just deal, but the bed is best kept an allergen-free space.

Are you a light sleeper? Restless pets can disrupt your sleep, leading to a variety of sleep-deprivation problems.

Is your dog germy? (Yes, your dog is.) Exposure to outside germs may bolster your immune system, so most healthy people can safely snuggle up.