Tribute to Louie—2000-2009
Louie was a purebred Great Pyrenees who spent his younger years as a show dog, apparently doing quite well (he was an extraordinarily fine-looking Pyr). At six, however, he found himself in rescue, and his original foster dispensed with his fancy show ring name in favor of the more down-to-earth "Louie". It seemed to fit him well. He loved snow, and in warmer months he loved to dig a shady hole somewhere in the garden and snooze. Louie had had enough of grooming and performance, and just wanted to relax.
Louie loved snow.
He was highly protective of his people and property (and would often attempt to "take charge" of our guests), but he was also a very loving and loyal companion. He was, as well, our most "biddable" dog — he would always listen, even if he didn't really want to. For example, Louie was just so-so with cats — they seemed to annoy him. Yet our cat Monty was determined to make friends with Louie, as he had done with Sabrina, Lou's step-sister. Louie eventually got to the point where he would allow Monty to rub noses with him (though he seemed to be rolling his eyes at the absurdity of the situation).
On trips Louie always attracted a crowd, and he seemed to relish the attention (his show dog background, no doubt). We vividly remember a trip to Niagara Falls with Louie and Sabrina — they were literally besieged by tourists, who wanted to pose with them for photos and videos to take back home. It's nice to think of Louie living on as a representative of the breed on home movie screens around the world.
Louie (smiling, at left) and his step-sister, Sabrina.
Louie was a special dog, and we miss him.
