As they age, our dogs begin to slow down a little, but we make every effort to ensure that they are content and at ease as they approach old age.
One family, however, went above and beyond for their elderly dog, changing their sleep habits solely to ensure that he felt appreciated.
Spike is an English springer spaniel that is 14 years old. Like many older dogs, he has trouble moving about. He recently had another stroke, which made it challenging for him to use the stairs.
Unfortunately, this meant Spike couldn’t do one of his favorite activities: sleeping in bed with his family, something he’s done since he was a pup.
“The first night we had him, we closed the stair gate and went to bed,” Spike’s owner Catherine Morris told The Dodo. “He whined for a couple of minutes before jumping over the gate in the dark and trotting up into my parents’ room and straight up onto the bed! And that’s where he slept from then on.”
Spike could no longer access his favorite area because their bedroom was on the second floor. Despite being frail, he persisted in attempting, and eventually his family had to barricade the stairs to stop him.
Instead, they devised a sweet plan: if Spike couldn’t join them in bed, they would go downstairs and share a bed with him!
To ensure that Spike still has company, the family members now alternately set up the pull-out couch and spend the night with him downstairs.
Catherine returned from university to find her parents’ new sleeping arrangement, but it didn’t surprise her — they’ve always had a close bond with Spike.
“They’re absolutely inseparable,” Catherine told The Dodo. “My dad calls him ‘old bean’ and they’re always chatting away.”
“My dad will also bring Spike his water and food to the sofa and feed him by hand to make sure he gets his medicines and keeps his strength up.”
Even though Spike is no longer the pup he once was, his family’s devotion for him is still evident.
They are demonstrating their willingness to go above and above for Spike by performing this altruistic deed.
We adore our old boy and are so grateful that he is a part of our family, Catherine said. Hopefully, by showing him all the love in the world, we have made up for his rocky start in life.
It’s amazing the lengths people will go to make their dogs happy. Thank you to this family for looking after their old dog.
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We had a collie/Springer cross, we had him from a pup and just like Spike we loved him dearly. He always slept at my wife’s side of the bed and when he became unable to make the stairs I would carry him up. Barney passed away quietly beside our bed when he was 14, we loved him dearly and still talk about him. Most certainly “mans best friend”.
My 14 year old golden, Ruby is blind and arthritic. Stairs are no longer an option. I’ve been sleeping downstairs on my office futon for the past two years to keep her company. I’d do anything to keep her comfortable