There’s almost nothing cuter than a sleeping dog. The tiny snores, the dream boofs, the little leg twitches like they’re chasing something in their dreams—it’s pure sweetness. Kind of like toddlers, sleeping dogs aren’t getting into mischief, giving you a rare moment to just admire the adorable creature that has stolen your heart.
But not all naps are created equal. A doodle named Toast has a habit of falling asleep at the most unexpected moments—whenever he gets excited. And we’re not talking about a sleepy stretch and yawn after a long day of play. No, Toast literally flops over like a fainting goat at the first sign of excitement. That’s because Toast has doggy narcolepsy, a condition that causes him to take impromptu naps whenever he’s feeling extra happy.
Something as simple as stepping outside to play in the snow or getting his dinner served can send him into an instant snooze. In fact, he barely gets a few bites in before his head starts drooping, and—boom—he’s out like a light.
“On any given day, Toast will fall asleep at least 100 times,” his mom, Laura, told The Dodo. “It really just means that when he's extra happy and excited, he needs to take a little break or a nap.”
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, narcolepsy is a nervous system disorder that primarily affects younger dogs. During an episode, a dog may suddenly lose consciousness, fall onto its side or stomach, and appear to be napping. Their muscles relax, their eyes may twitch in REM sleep, but they’re often still aware of their surroundings. Usually, a sudden noise or touch can snap them out of it.
The good news? Canine narcolepsy isn’t dangerous or painful. But owners of narcoleptic dogs should be aware of their surroundings to ensure their pup doesn’t fall asleep somewhere unsafe.
Toast’s mom has learned what triggers his excitement, and it seems his sister, Laney, has figured it out too. The two love to wrestle, but she knows that at some point, Toast will get a little too hyped and take a quick snooze mid-play. She doesn’t seem to mind, though—she’ll patiently wait while he naps on top of her or chews on her ears, even if she’s not in the mood to play.
“Toast has to be wherever Laney is. He is obsessed with her,” Laura said. “She just allows him to lay on top of her, chew on her ears, and she may chew on a toy or just rest and let him do what he needs to.”
Despite his condition, Toast is living his best life—completely unbothered by his frequent surprise naps. His mom makes sure he’s always safe, even gently moving his face out of his food bowl until he wakes up to finish eating. Since narcolepsy doesn’t affect a dog’s lifespan, Toast is expected to live just as long as any other doodle—just with a few extra naps along the way.