Each day, after huMom closes her laptop or descends from her studio & officially declares the workday over, she puts on the kettle & settles onto the sofa with her book & with us, Dot & Jerry Underfoot. Before opening her book, she always allows herself exactly fifteen minutes of TikTok time. No more, no less. She’s *pawsitively strict* about it. Usually, it’s bird videos that capture her attention. Their songs, their head banging (mol) & their little dancey wings & feet.  HuMom finds them irresistible. But one day, her feed took an unexpected turn. A reel appeared about a dog who lives with narcolepsy. Then another.  HuMom had never heard of a furlegger with this condition, so of course, we decided to do a bit of digging, paw-deep in curiosity.

After our initial scroll through the reels, Dot squinted thoughtfully at the screen. “Narcolepsy,” she said, flicking her tail. “That sounds like one of those fancy human words that means ‘napping without warning.’”

And she wasn’t wrong.

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects how the brain controls sleep & wake cycles. For our canine furiends, this can mean suddenly collapsing into deep sleep, even in the middle of playtime, dinner, or an excited tail-wagging session. Imagine chasing your favorite hemp toy one moment &  snoozing mid-leap the next. That’s what happens when a dog’s brain slips from wakefulness straight into REM sleep.

Some pups live with mild forms, where they just get a little wobbly when happy or excited. Others might fall fully asleep without notice. It’s not painful, but it can be confusing (& a bit alarming) to watch.

HuMom showed us a scientific article (we supervised, of course). It said that in many dogs, narcolepsy might be genetic meaning it is passed down through certain breeds like Dobermans, Labrador Retrievers, & Dachshunds. The condition often links to a lack of a special brain chemical called hypocretin (also known as orexin), which helps stay awake & alert. Without enough of it, a dog’s brain can’t keep the “awake switch” firmly on.

The good news? Dogs with narcolepsy can live long, happy, very nap-rich lives. Vets often recommend keeping their environment safe & calm; no high ledges or slippery floors where a sudden nap might lead to a tumble. Regular routines help too: pawdictable naps, gentle stimulation, & lots of reassurance.

Jerry here again—personally, I think scheduling naps sounds purrfectly reasonable.

Dot pawsed for a moment before mewing, “Our fur sister lived a long, joyful life, even though she had canine epilepsy. For fifteen years, she romped through days that sometimes brought challenges, but oh, she met them with wagnificent spirit, ears flopping as she pawed about, eyes full of trust.  Most days Olivia enjoyed pawtrolling the yard for squirrels, going for walkies, hikes in the woods & day tripping on pawtastic dogventures.  Olivia knew she was cared fur & deeply loved.

We still miss her every day. The house feels quieter without the soft rhythm of her toes clicking, or the way she’d curl beside HuMom with a sigh that said, “All is well.” But remembering her reminds us that life with special conditions isn’t about what’s missing; it’s about the love that keeps showing up, over & over again.

So when HuMom scrolls past another video of a dog living with narcolepsy or any furfriend facing something unusual—we watch a little closer. Because behind those moments of surprise sleep, or trembles, or quirks, there’s still a heart full of life, loyalty, & love. And that’s what every creature, cat, dog, or human has in common.

Dot stretches. Jerry purrs. We decide that maybe, just maybe, it’s time for a nap too.

 

 

Have a purrfect week!

Remember to be gnawsome, be kind & stay safe,

Dot & Jerry Underfoot😻 head boops 😻

         

Remembering CEO Olivia & Eddy forever🐾💜🐾