An ongoing dialogue on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
September 26th, 2025
My Dog Louie, the Best Dog Ever, Is Seriously Ill
We got some bad news about our dog Louie, the world’s greatest dog. Writing his story here is therapeutic, so forgive the oversharing.
In January, 2013, my wife forwarded me this email:
She doesn’t usually use 5 exclamation points or 6 question marks, and the unusual punctuation betrayed her excitement. The answer to “What do we do??????”, of course, was to claim one of these puppies; this would be her first dog.
The father of these pups — Asher was his name — was a special dog, a little guy who reigned supreme at the local gift shop, Wild Goose Chase. He greeted visitors with kindness, bright eyes, and a wagging tail, easily claiming his title as The World’s Cutest Dog. His owners even printed up his own card, one my wife kept in her wallet just for this opportunity.
A couple of months later, after Asher’s pups had grown up a bit, we met the very tired mom and the whole gang of her offspring at their home in western Massachusetts. We chose our favorite — a spotted little guy we called Louie, and brought him home to join our family.
Love at first sight.
Louie was no purebred, as the black spots gave away the unfancy part of his genetic lineage. Embark (yes, we checked) told us he was half Coton du Tulear, and half “super mutt,” a term I particularly like. Since this was always cumbersome to explain, when others asked what kind of dog he was, I often just said he was a mix, or a Havanese, since that’s what he looked like and “Havanese” was easier to say.
Over the years, we’ve bonded with Louie in a way that only dog lovers can understand — it’s nothing unusual, but it’s magic nonetheless. Here’s what happened:
- He immediately learned his name, and responded to it instantly. Of course his name is Louie.
- He excelled at eye contact, melting your heart. Stare your way to bigger meals.
- His sleep cycle gradually fell in sync with ours.
- We learned his loves and hates, based solely on the barking and yipping sounds he’d make at the door when he spotted a favorite (the mailperson who always brought him a Pup-peroni) or an enemy (a black lab that somehow embodied pure evil to him).
- His tail and bright eyes gave away excitement for every adventure (We’re going to the park!) or incoming snack (Would you like a treat?).
- Most importantly: He exuded love and adoration for us with zero ambivalence, expressing it regularly without ever, for a moment, getting tired of our company.
The years of love flowing from him made us utterly smitten. Someone came to my office recently, and noted that though the pictures of my family outnumbered the pictures of Louie, the biggest one in size was the painting my son’s friend made of our doggie, in exchange for a contribution we made to an animal services organization. Guilty as charged.
And yes, I’ve featured him here on this site, probably too much, and probably to the annoyance of those who just don’t get the dog thing. A sampling:
- There was a post about dog-related infections used as an excuse to post pictures about cute dogs, including Louie.
- How about this one about the importance of eye contact in clinical medicine? A perfect chance to show-off Louie’s super skill.
- Or another one, about the time he was attacked. He recovered quickly and harbored no hard feelings, what a good dog.
- I featured him with my brother’s and sister’s dogs, Zelda and Zoe. Why not?
- Here he posed with his favorite dessert plates, the china picked up by my wife in the bargain bin at local store. Yes, we bought a full set.
So lots of Louie here, the Star of the Show on this ID blog.
When I threw his toy or a ball, and he chased after it, he came romping back in a way perfectly embodied by the Charles Barsotti cartoon with the caption, And the crowd roars!
Wow, he learned to wag his tail in exchange for a treat! What a genius! He can even ride a bike!
To the non-animal lovers, I understand this post might not be your cup of tea. This kind of relationship is not for everyone, nor does it have much logic behind it. Why do we grow to love these animals so much? What causes us to generate endorphins when we pet them and stare into their eyes? Why do some people cry more at the death of their dogs than their family members? Makes zero sense.
We thought we had many more years of these tricks, and eye contact, and tail wags ahead.
But for those of us who have experienced it — this deep love for our pets that is returned by them more than a thousand-fold in exchange — I can assure you that watching them get seriously ill is utterly heartbreaking.
Which is why I’m writing this with tears streaming down my cheeks.
Let’s hope you rally, Louie, and that this is just some minor thing from a random scrap you picked up off the street, or a transient viral illness that just gets better with time.
But I am not optimistic. The unspoken messages conveyed by the vet as she told us of the ultrasound findings (we’re doctors, after all), and that she insisted he be admitted to the animal hospital for further workup — these do not engender hope.
I miss you already. ♥
31 Responses to “My Dog Louie, the Best Dog Ever, Is Seriously Ill”
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Paul E. Sax, MD
Contributing Editor
NEJM Journal Watch
Infectious Diseases
Biography | Disclosures | Summaries
Learn more about HIV and ID Observations.
So sad to hear about an ill family member. Yes, my dogs have always become essential family members. They bring us such joy and peace. We get out for our walk twice a day at least. They are always excited when we come home. Hope this phase of Louie’s and your journey goes as smoothly as possible. Thoughts are with you.
Oh Paul–am thinking of you. This is truly heart-wrenching. Hang in there and love him up –I am crossing my fingers that he rallies. What a love of a doggie he is….thank you for telling us his backstory!
I’m so sorry Paul to hear about this turn of events for dear Louie. We welcomed a Brittany Spaniel into our home in June 2020 (yes, a pandemic puppy) at the urging of our daughter and he has made us all the better for it. I’ll give him an extra squeeze tonight and think of you, your wife and Louie as you go through this difficult time.
Sending love and totally get it.
I’m not even a dog person and I’m in love. Thanks for sharing, Paul. All best wishes for a recovery and grand homecoming.
Sorry to hear about your dog!
I have not been a big dog lover in my life-but you may have just converted me!
I enjoy reading all of your posts. Feel free to digress about all of the important things in life when so moved!
You are a remarkable person and doctor in my life and this!
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.”—Agnes Turnbull
“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.”―M.K.Clinton
“Fall in love with a dog, and in many ways you enter a new orbit, a universe that features not just new colors but new rituals, new rules, a new way of experiencing attachment.”
“The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.”―Johnny Depp
“A dog has one aim in life…to bestow his heart.”―J.R. Ackerley
“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn’t ever know we had.”―Thom Jones
Sending you healing thoughts, good vibes and best wishes for a speedy recovery of your beloved Louie – Carolyn and Paul
OMG we have a Coton du Tulear (my COVID puppy) and a 12 year old Golden Retriever. She was 4 pounds when we brought her home. She is a fluff ball of happiness and keeps our Golden young. The loss of our family dog was so painful I started staggering dogs and have owned 2 for many years to avoid that empty feeling when they died. Your blog is spot on, thanks for sharing I’ll be thinking of you.
Oh, Paul. I feel for you and your wife. Been there, done that and it never, ever gets easier. Our final obligation to our wonderful pets is to make sure they don’t suffer, and I know you will do that, as hard as it is. I have always loved the photos of Louie and would have loved to see even more. I’ll keep all of you in my thoughts.
cmlnp50@gmail.com
I am hoping for the best , and that Louie will be with you for many more years!
We lost our Lilly 3 years ago and still mourn her.
Our pets are family!
oh no! I am so sorry to hear this. dogs are part of our human hearts.
We understand your pain as we have had many loving dogs over the past 50 plus years. We are giving all our good thoughts for Louie. He deserves to recover!
Oh no, poor Louie!! Sending healing thoughts his way (and to you and Carolyn).
That is a great dog. What a thing to be going through. Fingers crossed for a veterinary miracle.
Oh Paul, we’re praying for a miracle, and take comfort in knowing that anyone who has lost their dog is with you and Carolyn in your sadness.
I look forward to your blog and read it immediately upon arrival in my email. This was a sad one…and I will be hoping for an update soon that says he has recovered. If that can’t happen, just know there are many of us out here who understand how hard it is to lose him.
I am so incredibly sorry to hear. Having lost many beloved dogs, I will be holding you all in my heart and hoping that he does recover.
It’s the unconditional love we receive from them that makes their illness and passing so painful. Sending Louie, you, and your family lots of love and healing thoughts.
Dog love is so amazing! I often recommend getting a dog to patients…so good for so many reasons, including the social network of other like minded/hearted dog owners.
I met so many people before we lost our beloved Simba–including the woman who gave him to us, who herself had adopted one of the other littermates. This all occurred as my eyes/mind were being opened to the lifelong effects of PTSD and how something as simple as curling up with your dog could work wonders. Our friendship with Antoinette, via Simba and Malachey, has transcended the death of both dogs (2017, 2019). We are dogless but a sweet pit bull, Rosie, found Antoinette, whom she initially had to take in when her schizophrenic neighbor was hospitalized but ended up providing a home for.
Anyway, just reflecting on how dogs enrich our lives.
Hope Louie pulls through. please keep us posted.
We send Louie and those who love him all of our best wishes.
We feel your pain. Hoping for the best for as long as possible.
I’m so sorry for you and Carolyn, Paul. Louie has been blessed to spend his life with such a caring family. As other commenters have noted, fellow dog lovers completely understand what you’re feeling now. May the days ahead be as smooth as possible.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” –Anatole France
So sorry Paul. We lost our wonderful super mutt to toxic mushrooms this year- still don’t know where he found them. He was such a bright beam of sunshine and love- we can all use more of that kind of positivity and joy in this world. Hang in there. With sympathy, Annie
This song by Curtis Salgado says it all. https://open.spotify.com/track/4SCge41oDQOTIcfmhnYvAQ?si=cbf6b6157d3149e9
I am so sorry you and Louie are going through this. Been there; it’s really hard.
Tim
I am pulling for that little guy!
Oh, Paul…. I’m sorry the “best dog ever” is so ill. I will hope for the best and I am sending your family healing wishes and hugs.
I’m so sorry, Paul and Carolyn. It’s a beautiful portrait of connections we can’t always explain. Thinking of you all during this tough time.
Sorry to hear about Louie and hope he makes a recovery. Our court here in NC just lost Rose our neighbor’s 14 year old lab who was best friends with everyone and showered us all with woofs and love. Best wishes, Fred K
So sorry to hear this, Paul. I got my Coton de Tulear (the Royal dog of Madagascar!) in college and he took me through so many pivotal life milestones until he passed during early COVID. Nothing quite like the love of a dog.