Do dogs have nightmares?

I mean I would assume that is possible since I am 100% certain they dream.

I ask this because around 3:51AM this morning I was awakened by something.  My arm was hanging over the side of my bed and I felt something nudging my hand.  So I instinctively swatted it away thinking it was one of the animals just being curious.  A few seconds later I was nudged again a little more forceful.  My brain woke up and I was like "Oh no!!!! One of them is going to be sick or has to go out, quick get up before you have to clean up a mess!!!"  I opened my eyes to pitch blackness, I just bought blackout curtains so there is ZERO light coming in from outside. *CRAP* I started saying, "hold on buddy, I'm coming" as I scrambled to find my cell.  When the phone lit up my side of the room I saw the most terrified looking dog.  His ears were back, his eyes were huge and he was using all of his self control to NOT jump in the bed (they are not allowed in the bed)...he looked so scared.  My first thought was when did Convict become Courage the Cowardly Dog....

Photo: http://www.funbumperstickers.com/detail.aspx?ID=3806

So I sat up and started petting him.  "what's wrong buddy??? It's okay.  Come on, lay down.  Lets go back to sleep." Every time my phone light would go off he would shove his head into my hand...when I turned it back on he relaxed.  This went on for what seemed like an eternity!!!  He moved away from me so I figured we were done.  I got all comfy laying on my side *ahhh relax* when suddenly I felt like I was being watched. . . .  I clicked my phone light on and saw a face on the edge of my bed...

Holy crap dog, what is your deal.  He whined and whimpered and huffed so I pet him again.  Poor dog looked frazzled.  I had to get out of bed and sit on the floor on his bed until he got all comfy.  Then I was FINALLY able to go to sleep...except I couldn't...all I could think of was what the heck could have scared Mr. Daredevil like that...what is in my room...is it a huge bug who cannot be named...is it a ghost...maybe he had a nightmare...do dogs have nightmares...wonder what kind of nightmare he had...I think you see where this is going.  My brain was going a mile a minute...guess I'm never gong back to sleep.  

I have no idea how long I laid there but I finally started to drift into dreamland.  *bang, bang bang, skitter skitter, hiss, bang bang*  WTF I'm up, I'm up.  Something jumps on top of my chest *ahhhhh*, I clicked on my phone

Christ on a cracker cat, WTH is your problem?!?!?!? She was puffed out, ears back, and making all sorts of weird noises. And as fast as she was there she was gone.  Great!  Is she hunting something or did she get into the nip again...  Well since I was awakened so suddenly I now had to potty... should be a private, relaxing moment...HA not in my house

Oh my God!  Can y'all please leave me alone!?!?

So needless to say I really never got back into a good sleep and I am pretty sure my cat spooked the dog.  My alarm went off at 6AM and my animals were bright eyed and bushy tailed...I was more droopy eye and frizzy hair *yawn*. 

As I was dressing for work my cat came tearing into the room. She skidded to a halt right by my feet and let out the loudest, longest MEOW, I have ever heard from her.  Then she turned tail and skittered off *bitch*, its actually really funny because we have tile and it takes her a couple seconds to get traction.

I am hyped up on caffeine at the moment. . . it's going to be a long day.  Oh yea and my husband and the older dog SLEPT through all of this!!!!!