You suggest the animal to have it's eyes 'open' with a glint - doesn't this then suggest that the animal cannot sleep or as the drawing maybe having a nightmare.
Shouldn't the creature have it's 'eyes closed' showing the perception thats its enjoying a good nights sleep..?
Just a thought...

It's a nocturnal animal, which means that it is awake at night but sleeps during the day. The client has specifically asked for an animal with its eyes open, as in the brief.

Graham