Spike was adopted by Catherine Morris’ family nine years ago with the intention of him becoming a “downstairs dog.” Spike, an English springer spaniel, had an unusual perspective on things.
Morris told The Dodo, “The first night we got him, we locked the stair gate and went to bed.” “He moaned for a few minutes before leaping over the gate in the dark, galloping up into my parents’ room, and leaping directly into the bed!” From then on, that’s where he slept.”
Spike was a bundle of energy during the day. He used to spend hours running around after his tennis ball. The dog would ascend the stairs at night to share the bed with his folks. Morris stated, “He loves to snuggle up and tries to force his way under the blankets to get as near as he can.”
Spike, at 14 years old, has slowed down considerably. After Spike suffered two strokes, Morris and her parents were frightened that they might lose him, but the loyal dog wasn’t ready to leave them yet.
Spike couldn’t stand for days after his second stroke, so Morris and her parents carried him about the home. The older dog, on the other hand, was motivated to improve and re-learn how to walk.
Spike’s family had to close off his favorite area – the bedroom — since he isn’t strong enough to dependably travel up and down stairs.
They knew Spike would try to climb the stairs to cuddle with his family despite his weakening legs. As a result, they set up their stair gate and devised a strategy to make the elderly dog happy.
To prevent Spike from attempting to leap the fence, his family now alternates sleeping on the pull-out sofa with him each night. “Because of this new routine, my parents spent alternating nights downstairs with Spike while I was away at university,” Morris explained. “Since I’ve returned home, I’ve joined the rotation, so between the three of us, we get a little more sleep.”
Spike’s father takes extra precautions to ensure that his elderly dog is comfortable at night.
Morris stated, “They’re really inseparable.” “My father refers to him as ‘old bean,’ and they’re often speaking.”
“My father would also carry Spike’s water and food to the sofa and feed him by hand to ensure he receives his medications and maintains his vigor,” she said.
Spike clearly loves his family more than anything else in the world, and his family would go to any length to keep him happy for the rest of his life.
“We adore our old guy and are ecstatic to have him in our life,” Morris expressed his gratitude. “Hopefully, we’ve made up for his rocky start in life by showering him with all the love we can muster.”
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