Spike was adopted by Catherine Morris’ family nine years ago with the intention of becoming a “downstairs dog.” However, Spike, an English springer spaniel, had a different opinion.
“We locked the stair gate and went to bed the first night we had him,” Morris told The Dodo. “He moaned for a few moments before leaping over the fence in the dark and trotting up into my parents’ room, straight up into the bed!” And he slept there from then on.”
Spike had a lot of energy during the day. He could sprint around for hours chasing his tennis ball. The dog would climb the stairs at night to share the bed with his folks. “He loves to snuggle up and wants to go under the blankets as close as he can,” Morris added.
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Spike, at 14 years old, has slowed considerably. Morris and her parents were frightened about losing Spike after he had two strokes, 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. However, the senior dog was determined to improve and relearned how to walk.
Spike, on the other hand, is still not strong enough to travel up and down stairs on his own, so his family had to close off his favorite area – his bedroom.
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They knew Spike would try to climb the stairs to snuggle with his family despite his weakening legs. So they installed their stair gate and devised a strategy to make the elderly dog happy.
Spike’s family now alternates sleeping on the pull-out sofa with him each night to keep the pup from trying to jump the fence. “Because this new routine began while I was at university, my parents spent alternating nights downstairs with Spike,” Morris explained. “Since I went back home, I’ve joined the rotation, so the three of us get a little more sleep.”
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Spike’s father goes out of his way to make sure his aging dog is comfortable at night.
“They’re completely intertwined,” Morris explained. “My father refers to him as ‘old bean,’ and they’re often speaking.”
“My father would also bring Spike his water and food to the sofa and feed him by hand to ensure he takes his meds and maintains his vigor,” she explained.
Spike clearly loves his family more than anything else in the world, and his family will go to any length to make the dog happy for the rest of his life.
“We adore our old boy and are so grateful to have him in our life,” Morris added. “Hopefully, we have made up for his rocky start in life by showering him with all the love in the world.”
