Senior Golden Retriever's Sweet Bedtime Routine With 'Her Baby' Is Full Of Love
We all know what it's like to be ready for bed — heavy eyelids and an eagerness to snuggle up under some cozy covers. And we all have our own little ritual before lying down for the night, just like this super-sweet golden retriever caught on video showing her human companions that she's ready to call it a day. It's a TikTok moment that will give you all the feels.
@ally_calhoun She's just a baby 😭#goldenretriever #goldenretrievers #goldensoftiktok #goldenretrieverlife
In the clip, the sweetheart of a senior dog rounds the corner carrying a stuffy in her mouth, wearily looking at her owner, who notes that this is the way the pup has told them she's ready for bed "every single night for the last nine years." Proof that pets have their own habits and rituals, and especially their own ways of conveying their needs to their caregivers.
"Beautiful" is the general consensus in the comments, with someone adding, "She's ready to go night night!" Many others share their own stories of their doggies' nighttime rituals, including one who always sits in front of the fridge waiting for "one little shred of cheese," while another says, "Mine stares at us 🤣." No matter our pets' methods, though, we human companions understand when our furry friends are ready to catch some Zs.
Here's why senior dogs sleep more
Golden retrievers, like the one in the TikTok video, are considered seniors when they reach age 8, which is the average age a dog is thought to be entering old age. However, the range can vary a little depending on breed and size, with giant breeds over 100 pounds reaching the milestone around age 6 and toy/small breeds under 20 pounds around age 10.
Once that old-age milestone is reached, senior dogs can tend to sleep up to or over 18 hours a day because of the natural aging process. With age comes lower energy, less endurance, and a quicker need for rest, just like people. Sometimes, underlying health conditions contribute to sleepiness, such as arthritis, heart disease, or cognitive dysfunction. Of course, if your doggy is excessively sleeping in addition to showing signs of distress (coughing, vomiting, lack of appetite), it's best to go to the vet, or an ER vet if it's urgent. Otherwise, just enjoy the extra cuddle time you get with them when they get older.
Love older dogs? Enjoy these photos of adorable senior dogs living their best lives.