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Louie's Story:

Louie had had a rough go of it. Like many pets of people who are profoundly ill, his needs had not been fully met for quite some time.

His white coat was matted. A steady stream of drool fell from his red, irritated mouth, clearly signaling an infection of some sort. Still, the little white Lhaso Apso  was friendly with all he met, swinging his little tail happily, smiling with his liquid brown eyes.

 In fact, it was clear from the very first moment he was introduced to Safe Place that Louie was a very special dog, sweet-natured and optimistic that somehow everything would be fine. When a volunteer picked him up from the home he had lived in for nearly 10 years, he trotted off with her cheerfully, settled into the back seat, and waited for whatever new adventure was to come. And that’s the way he was for every moment of the next month, as he was hauled to a groomer and to veterinarian after veterinarian, placed in a foster home with people and dogs he had never met, and, eventually, had all of his teeth pulled by a dental specialist who explained that Louie had suffered for years with a somewhat rare condition and every tooth had to go. Louie’s body reacted so strongly to his own tartar, ulcers would form inside his mouth, and the only way to cure him would be to get rid of the culprit:  his teeth.

“This will be a completely different dog in two weeks because for the first time in years he won’t be spending every minute of his life in pain,” the dentist declared.

It was hard to imagine sweet Louie becoming somehow even more lovable. But that’s exactly what happened.  Within days, he was happier, bouncier, more loving, more of a funny little character. After weeks of foster care and the various medical interventions that cost more than $2,000, 10-year-old Louie was like a perky puppy again.

And brave little Louie soon got exactly what he deserved. An older lady needed a gentle, loving companion that would be a low maintenance lap dog, her son said when he contacted Safe Place. We figured Louie might be a good fit.

And Louie made it clear he agreed. One sunny March day he was taken for his first meeting with the would-be adopter. He trotted into her house, gave her his usual friendly once-over, and then settled placidly at her feet.

Louie was home.