Louie's strange sleeping posture was not necessarily about preferring a wall to a bed.
The transition itself could be part of what he was trying to avoid.
The Wall Let Him Rest Without Fully Lying Down
Louie seemed to have found a compromise.
He remained upright.
Then he gave some of the work to the wall.
His forehead touched the surface.
His neck relaxed.
His head no longer had to remain completely unsupported.
Gradually, his eyes closed.
The position was hardly restful by normal standards.
His legs still had to hold his body.
His hips were still bearing weight.
But Louie did not have to lower himself all the way to the floor.
For a while, that seemed to be enough.
The First Sign of Fatigue Appeared in His Back Legs
Louie's front half could look almost peaceful.
Head against the wall.
Eyes closed.
Mouth relaxed.
Then his hindquarters told a different story.
One leg began trembling.
Then both.
The shaking could start subtly and grow as the minutes passed.
His muscles were tiring.
Louie remained asleep or drowsy until his body could no longer maintain the position.
Then his rear end dropped.
Sometimes the Buckle Woke Him Immediately
His hind legs bent.
His body sank.
Louie's eyes opened.
He caught himself as best he could.
The movement was not a dramatic collapse from full height, but for a dog already struggling with mobility, even a controlled buckle was concerning.
Once down, Louie had the opportunity to remain there.
He was finally closer to the position his body needed for real rest.
Yet he often tried to stand again.
Getting Back Up Was Painfully Slow to Watch
Louie shifted his front paws.
He leaned forward.
His chest rose first.
Then came the difficult part.
He tried to bring his hind feet underneath himself.
His rear end lifted slightly.
Sometimes it dropped again.
Louie repositioned.
He tried once more.
Eventually, he stood.
The entire process could take only seconds.