Our dogs start to slow down a little as they get older, but we do everything we can to keep them happy and comfortable throughout the years of their lives.
But one family went all out for their old dog and rearranged their sleep schedule to make sure he feels loved.
Spike is a 14 year old English Springer Spaniel. Like many dogs his age, he can’t move around like he used to. He recently had a second stroke that made it difficult for him to go up and down the stairs.
Unfortunately, that means Spike can’t pursue one of his favorite pastimes: sleeping in bed with his family, something he’s been doing since he was a kid.
“The first night we got him, we went to bed with the stair door closed,” Spike’s owner Catherine Morris told The Dodo.
“He complained for a few minutes, then jumped over the door in the dark, Stamped into my parents’ room and fell straight onto the bed! He’s been sleeping there ever since.”
Their bedroom was on the second floor, so Spike couldn’t get to his favorite spot. In his weakened state, he kept trying so much that his family had to block the stairs to stop him.
But instead, they have a delightful solution: if Spike can’t come up and sleep with them, they’ll come down and sleep with Spike!
Now, the family takes turns putting up the pullout sofa and spending the night downstairs with Spike, making sure the old dog is still with him.
Catherine came back from college to find her parents’ new bed, but it didn’t surprise her – they had always had a close bond with Spike.
“They are absolutely inseparable,” Catherine told Dodo. “My dad called him ‘Old Bean’ and they were always chatting.”
“My dad would also bring Spike’s water and food to the couch and hand feed him to make sure he gets his meds and stays strong.”
Spike may no longer be the cub he once was, but it’s clear one thing has never changed: the love his family has for him.
Through this selfless act, they made it clear that they would do everything in their power to make Spike’s final years as great as possible.
“We love our old boy so much and are so lucky to have him in our lives,” Catherine said. “Hopefully we make up for his not so good start in life with all the love in the world.”
It’s amazing how far people go to keep their dogs happy. Thank you to this family for taking care of their old dog.
Share this beautiful story!
