Some of the Best Dogs....

Louie is a curious mix of short legs, multi-colored golden coat, tail which curls over his back, sometimes pointed ears, elongated body and large head.  A German Shepard/Basset Hound mix, about seven years-old,  Louie has a compelling backstory, as do many rescue dogs.

Animal shelter staff explained that Louie had been returned to them several times.  As Louie jumped up onto the couch where Chuck and Catherine were sitting, the staff continued with "we think that they mistook him for the queen's dog - a Corgie."  It was hard to see that under all the matted fur, he might look like a Corgie.

It was clear from the get-go that Louie didn't like being crated.  After his initial reaction, Chuck and Catherine have chosen not to crate him again.  A veterinarian explained to them that Louie's teeth have been worn down and broken, presumably from chewing on the metal of cages and crates, over the years.

Louie was standoffish at first. "It was as if he thought that we too would return him.  He didn't want to get attached again, if he was going back to the shelter."  After about a year, Louie began distributing kisses.  "He still stops and looks at black SUVs, when he sees one, like someone he knows might step out of it." (Of course dogs don't have memories or emotions like humans do - yeah right.)

It has been two years since Chuck and Catherine connected with  Louie on the couch of an animal shelter.  Louie chose well this time.