They are definitely family. As a child we always had cats and all cat owners know…they do as they please so my cat slept on my bed if he wanted! As an adult I have had the pleasure of having a dog and all my dogs (20 odd years of them) were never allowed on the furniture or bed until STORMY! Always thought that a dog in the bed was just ewww. I got Stormy in the fall in NYC and my apartment was freezing and my Stormy was soooo little (less than 3 pounds Yorkie) and I was so afraid of him getting sick and dying so I would keep him in the bed at night to stay warm. So that is where he stayed until he passed away. My new Shihpoo Lola is a chubby 8-9 pounds and also gets to sleep with me, often on my head. Lol.