Every dog owner would probably agree that there's nothing in this wide, wild world they wouldn't do to make their beloved pupper at least a tiny bit happier. Even if it means sleeping downstairs on a not-so-comfortable pull-out couch a few times a week.
Meet Spike—a 14-year-old English springer spaniel who's currently recovering from his second stroke. Unfortunately, because of his age and health problems, Spike's no longer able to climb the stairs to the second floor to sleep in his parents' bed.
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Spike is a 14-year-old English springer spaniel who has recently experienced two strokes
Image credits: spikethespringer
"We got Spike when he was 5 from a rescue (Dogs Trust) around a year after losing our old dog (also a rescue that my parents found abandoned as a puppy). Spike had several homes before us and we can't understand how anyone could give him up, but we're very glad he made his way to us," Spike's owner told Bored Panda.
The fact that the fluffy boy is no longer able to climb the stairs by himself is even more sad knowing that he used to sleep in his humans' bed all the time. "He has always slept on the bed upstairs, so when the stairs became too dangerous for him it was an immediate transition to sleeping downstairs," the owner explained to us.
Currently, the pupper is recovering from his second stroke and is having a hard time climbing the stairs
Image credits: spikethespringer
"He is very much an old man now, especially after his second stroke, so spends most of his time snoozing in the day and cuddling up with his people as much as possible," Spike’s owner told us. "He's a very cheeky chappy too and thinks everything we have is for sharing—personal space, beds, food and any drink that foolishly gets left on the floor from tea to wine—we have to keep a very close eye on him!"
Turns out, after experiencing his second stroke, Spike wasn't able to walk, so the family would have to carry him around the house. Luckily, the boy was determined to get better and so he did. And now, despite being able to walk again, he's still not strong enough to climb the stairs so he can't sleep where he usually does—in his parents' bedroom.
Since Spike is no longer able to sleep in his humans' bedroom, the family decided to alternate sleeping downstairs on the couch with him each night
Image credits: spikethespringer
In order to prevent injuries and to make their boy Spikie happy, the family set up their stair gate and decided to alternate sleeping on the couch with him each night to make sure he doesn’t try to jump the gate.
"We know when he has got tired of watching TV when he gets up and goes to the other room to see if his bed has been put down for him! He takes himself off to bed when he's had enough and gets comfy cosy," the owner of the doggy told us. "He always makes a big fuss when whoever is sleeping downstairs gets in and grumbles at having to share the space, but once you're in he snuggles up and especially loves to cuddle in the morning with his head on the pillow."
They've also set up their stair gate in order to prevent injuries
Image credits: spikethespringer
The bond between Spike and the dad seems to be the most special of all. "They're absolutely inseparable. My dad calls him 'old bean' and they're always chatting away," the owner told The Dodo. "My dad will also bring Spike his water and food to the sofa and feed him by hand to make sure he gets his medicines and keeps his strength up."
"We love our old boy so much and are so glad to have him in our lives"
Image credits: spikethespringer
It's clear that Spike's family loves him with their whole hearts and would do anything to make him happy (just like every dog owner should). "We love our old boy so much and are so glad to have him in our lives," the owner told The Dodo. "Hopefully, we have made up for his not-so-good start in life by providing all the love in the world." If you'd like to see more of Spike's pictures and follow his journey, make sure to check him out on Instagram.
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