British Columbia

Vancouver dog on sidewalk isn't dead; he's just sleeping

Comet is known for his bizarre sleeping habits on a sidewalk in Mount Pleasant, and has convinced more than one person that he's dead. In fact, he's just an old dog who loves to nap. On his back. Twisted up. And halfway onto the road.

Comet the dog has been sleeping in a bizarre position for 14 years on a Mount Pleasant sidewalk

Don't worry, he's just sleeping! Comet the Dog takes one of his weird naps at the corner of Quebec and Third in Mount Pleasant. (Jodie Martinson/CBC)

It might sound like something out of a Monty Python sketch, but Comet the Dog is not dead yet.

Comet is known for startling passers-by with his bizarre sleeping habits. He likes to nap on the sidewalk near Quebec and Third, flat on his back, twisted up, and that has led more than one person to believe the dog is dead.

"It's constant. All day, every day," said owner Lisa Dyer. "We always joke that he should have his own website, or a t-shirt on that says 'I'm okay!'"

Comet has been sleeping in front of Dyer's shop, Hymach Industries, for 14 years now. The dog's napping has attracted the attention of passers-by, the police and the SPCA — who've been called to the intersection so many times, they know him by name.

"Some kind of crazy wolf"

Comet is a 16-year-old dog described by Dyer as "some kind of crazy wolf." She said she rescued him from "a bad situation" near Prince George.

She can't leave the dog at home because he gets anxious and hurts himself, so he has to come to work with her.

"He just feels like this is his corner and he's good," Dyer said. "This is just his spot, he's happy and comfortable here, he's been here all these years.

"People come by and ring the bells on their bicycles to get him to move. He refuses."

Dyer says that if you see Comet on your walk in Mount Pleasant, don't panic; he's fine.

It might be good to remember the old adage and let this sleeping dog lie.


To hear the full story, click the audio labelled: Don't call the SPCA. Comet the Dog isn't dead.