When I was in college I worked as a receptionist at the UGA Vet Hospital. One of the clients had a dog that had puppies, half Black Labrador half Husky and was looking to give them away for free. Wanting a dog all my life and thinking I could take care of a dog because I had a little job, I asked for one. The ride back to my apartment this dog was everywhere in the car, so scared. That dog became King Louie Gober, but we called him Louie, sometimes Louie Kapooie. 😄 We were fortunate to have Louie in our family for almost 12 years and this post is dedicated to him.
On May 2, 2023 we were faced with the difficult decision to put Louie to sleep, after a cancerous tumor ruptured. We were told a year earlier that surgery could be performed but it may be risky and it was best to give him the best quality of life. Pet owners know that there will be a time when you have to say goodbye, but it’s hard to imagine. Louie was my first child, in a sense. Taking care of a dog from puppy to adult, does not take as much as a human but requires a lot from you especially in the early years. I adopted Louie, barely one year into my relationship with my boyfriend, who is my husband now. He was like our little child. I didn’t know it then, but he prepared us for parenthood.
Just like most young adults in college, I was broke. I had a job, but it was part-time, my parents and student loans were paying my bills. My apartment at the time, did not allow pets without a fee and my boyfriend’s roommate already had 2 dogs so that meant Louie had to go home with my parents. I remember I called them on the way home from Athens, and I told them I got a dog and he has to stay with them. My mom was not having it, my dad was kind of on her side too, but I know he was secretly happy that there was another male in the house. King Louie really immersed himself into the Gober family and became one of us, even joining us in family Christmas photos.
I eventually moved out of my parent’s house and started my own family, but Louie stayed with them. Only living 25 minutes away I would see Louie at least weekly. Taking him to the park or just a ride in the car to get some fresh air. He was the one I wanted to be with when I was sad, to just give him some cuddles always made me feel better. If anyone was playing with me and he thought it was too rough he would start whining and get anxious. He had my back for real. The phrase “a dog is a man’s best friend” is true. I’m no man obviously, but Louie is my best friend and the most loyal being I have ever known.
It has been 8 months since his passing and I still think of him all the time. I didn’t think it was going to hurt as much as it did and still does. You would think, because these animals can’t talk that the connection wouldn’t be as strong. But dogs understand you and their emotional intelligence is way high. Leaving you with a connection like no other. To get through my early grief I would revisit videos and pictures and cry, let it out. Now when I see people with their dogs, I always think of Louie but in the most appreciative way. I’m so thankful for all of the fun memories I had with them. I’m so thankful of the connections I made with him as a dog owner. I’m so thankful of the hairs I still find of his on my furniture or clothes, reminding me that he loved to lay on me and get petted. I’m so thankful for all the love he put in my heart. My kids were sad because I was sad, but teaching them to be thankful for the time they had has helped in the grieving process. I still don’t see myself getting another dog, but I still think they’re the best and I’ll always have Louie’s love in my heart.
