Hear the story of the good boy who inspired our mission.
Love From Louie began with one very special yellow dog.
That’s when Laura met Louie.
On a winter afternoon in February 2011, Laura accompanied a friend on a walk through a county-run animal control facility. As they moved past the rows of kennels, Laura noticed one dog who was different from the others.
He wasn’t standing at the front of the cage, peering hopefully through the chain link, waiting to be noticed. He also wasn’t cowering in the back, barking defensively. He was simply lying on the cold cement floor, emaciated and motionless, with a full bowl of food and water sitting untouched beside him.
The dog was a pale yellow Labrador Retriever, and with gentle coaxing, he responded with only the slightest shift of his head and a sad glance that seemed to carry a world of sadness and loneliness.
When Laura entered the run, he slowly and painfully rose to greet her. Then, standing on three legs with one back leg hanging uselessly, he leaned toward her and gently licked her face.
Less than twenty-four hours later, Louie was in the back seat of Laura’s truck as she and her husband, Denny, drove him to a waiting friend and veterinarian in Lansing.
X-rays showed that Louie had a crushed hip and a dislocated leg. Blood work also revealed that he was heartworm positive, which made the risks of anesthesia even greater. Still, Louie was given the chance he so desperately needed.
He underwent more than four hours of surgery, with two veterinarians working to remove bone and bone fragments in an aggressive effort to save his leg.
Louie’s recovery wasn’t simple, but his life was worth every bit of effort. He went on to live until 13 years old, surrounded by the love, comfort, and care he had deserved all along.
That love became Love From Louie, in honor of the dog who changed everything.
Laura was deeply moved by the generosity of the family, friends, and animal professionals who contributed to Louie’s chance at a healthier life. Through him, she became even more aware of the blessings in her own life, especially the ability to help a dog like Louie receive the medical care he so desperately needed and the quality of life he so clearly deserved.
With those blessings in mind, Love From Louie was founded as a way to pay that love forward.
Today, Love From Louie helps dogs and companion animals who need medical care, rehabilitation, comfort, and a safe place to heal.
Many of the animals who come through Love From Louie have been injured, sick, aging, overlooked, or unable to thrive in a shelter or kennel setting. Some need surgery. Some need pain management. Some need hospice care. Some simply need time, patience, and a quiet place to feel safe again.
Each one is a reminder of Louie.
Help us say yes
There are always more dogs who need our help, and Love From Louie depends on community support to continue this work. When you donate, share, volunteer, or help spread the word, you’re helping us say yes to dogs who may not have many other options.