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Dad Sleeps Downstairs On Sofa With Senior Dog To Keep Him Company

When Catherine Morris’ family adopted Spike nine years ago, they determined that he would be a “downstairs dog.” But Spike, an English springer spaniel, had a different idea of how things should go.

“The first night we had him, we closed the stair gate and went to bed,” 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.”

CREDIT: CATHERINE MORRIS

According to Tufts University, “dogs of the same breed generally gravitate toward one other.” “What we know is that the fragrance of another dog lingers for a long time on a dog… We’ll never know for sure if the dog is digesting the fact that it’s a family link.”

CREDIT: CATHERINE MORRIS

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.

CREDIT: CATHERINE MORRIS

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.

CREDIT: CATHERINE MORRIS

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.

CREDIT: CATHERINE MORRIS