Sometimes we’re lucky to find stories of hope that help us forget, for a little while, about the horrors that surround us when it comes to animals.
This is one of those stories, and we’d like to thank Karen Roberts for sharing it with us.
In March of 2010, Karen’s mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer. That July, her father was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away before he could begin treatment.
Karen’s mother continued her treatments, but passed away in August of 2011.
This was a dark and devastating time for Karen, filled with pain, suffering, and loss. Last December, in the midst of her grief, she felt an overwhelming need to do something positive; something that would allow her to give love and compassion.
Something that would help her feel happiness once again.
Her heart took her to Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Massachussetts, where she fell in love with and adopted a 4-year-old Chihuahua/Italian Greyhound mix named Louie.
Despite being surrendered by his family, going through almost four weeks of homelessness, living in three different shelters, and traveling across the continent, Louie was a sweet, loving little dog.
Louie’s story, and his capability for love despite what he’d been through, gave Karen the reason and strength she needed to start enjoying life again.
He was exactly what she needed to be happy.
“All I wanted to do was make him feel safe and loved, and all he wanted to do was love me back. It was the miracle I needed to help me move forward,” said Karen.
Karen has written a children’s book about Louie, The Little Blue Dog, so she could tell his story, raise awareness about overflowing shelters around the country, and share the joy it brings to adopt a homeless pet.
The book will be available for purchase in early June, and 100% of all profits from the book and products will be donated to The Little Blue Dog’s animal rescue and shelter partners. We will send out an alert as soon as the book becomes available.
Be sure to watch a video Karen created about Louie (left).
“Quite simply,” Karen said, “Louie changed my life.”
And now she’s paying it forward by working to change shelter animals’ lives across the country. Thank you, Karen, for everything you’re doing to show children and adults the happiness a companion animal can bring, and for donating the proceeds of your book to homeless shelter animals.
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