The family takes turns sleeping on the couch to keep their old dog company
Our dogs start to slow down a bit as they get older, but we do our best to keep them happy and comfortable in their twilight years.
But one family went the extra mile for their old dog, changing their sleep schedule just to make sure he feels loved.
Spike is a 14-year-old English Springer Spaniel. Like many dogs of his age, he cannot move around like he used to. He recently suffered a second stroke that made it difficult for him to go up and downstairs.
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Unfortunately, this meant that Spike couldn’t do one of his favorite activities: sleeping in bed with his family, which he had been doing since he was a puppy.
“The first night we had him, we closed the gate and went to bed,” Morris said. “He whined for a couple of minutes, and then in the dark, he jumped over the gate and ran into my parents’ room right on the bed! That’s where he’s slept ever since.»
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Their bedroom was on the second floor, so Spike could no longer get to his favorite spot. He kept trying anyway in his weakened state, to the point where his family had to block the stairs to keep him from trying.
But instead, they came up with an amazing solution: if Spike couldn’t get up and sleep with them, they went downstairs and slept with Spike!
Now the family takes it in turns to install a pull-out couch and spend the night downstairs with Spike to make sure the old dog still has company.
Katherine returned from university to find that her parents had a new way of sleeping, but this did not surprise her — they always had a close bond with Spike.
“They are inseparable,” Katherine said. «My dad calls him ‘oldie’ and they always talk.»
«My dad will also bring Spike water and food to the couch and hand feed him to make sure he gets his medication and maintains his strength.»
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Spike may not be the young pup he used to be, but one thing is clear he has never changed: his family’s love for him.
With this selfless act, they make it clear that they will do everything possible to make the last years of Spike’s life as good as possible.
“We love our old man so much and are so glad to have him in our lives,” Katherine said. «Hopefully we made up for his not-so-great start in life by giving him all the love in the world.»
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It’s amazing what people are willing to go to to make their dogs happy. Thanks to this family for taking care of their old dog.
