There are many stereotypes about senior dogs that make them overlooked as family pets. Some simply see them as a burden while others avoid adopting them, as they are “too fragile” to endure any sort of activity.
But, who’s to say that senior canines can’t be fun?
Ladies and gents, meet Louise, the ultimate senior Chihuahua from California that will make you roll in the aisles! Here’s why!
The Mystery Behind Her Funny Habit
Louise was rescued from a shelter by a couple with a big heart for raising elderly Chihuahuas.
The whole idea was to give Louise wonderful golden years in her new home, as we had already done with Laura and Betty, two other puppies we adopted from shelters in California.
However, when Louise entered their home for the first time, they did not expect Louise to be such a helpless girl. Louise is the queen of relaxation and laziness, but she still manages to entertain everyone with her quirks.
Her most popular move is walking backwards up the stairs.
The owners installed a pair of ladders in the living room and TV room so the dogs could climb onto the couch. All three are elderly and have fairly limited mobility, so this is helpful to encourage them to get around.
At first Sean and his partner thought Louise was walking backwards up the stairs due to a knee problem in her back leg, but then they came to a shocking conclusion.
Unlike those in the living room, Louise regularly walked up the stairs to the TV room – straight! Apparently, something on the living room stairs is causing her to behave like this, but no one knows why.
“There are some theories out there. She does have bad knees on her back legs and perhaps it’s a little bit easier to go up those stairs backwards because of that. But that would require her to go up every set of stairs backwards,” Sean says.
Sleeping And Cuddling Are Louise’s Favorite Things
Louise’s odd stair climbing is a part of her personality, and her owners love it!
“It’s adorable and I hope she never changes,” Sean says.
However, her absolute favorite things in the world seem to be sleeping and cuddling. Louise is not a very active dog, and she just loves to take naps in cozy places. But, most of all, she loves to sleep next to her sister, Lola!
To be honest, Louise can be obsessed with two things: squirrels and food. She loves chasing squirrels in her garden and finding food that her owners have accidentally left behind. She’s like a furry vacuum cleaner with an impeccable talent for finding even the smallest bits of food on the floor.
Louise loves everything about her little life. And the fact that she found happiness with Chi’s friends is the greatest thing ever.
I miss you, Louise
In November 2023, Louise sadly crosses the Rainbow Bridge. Over the past two months she has had a series of seizures and her symptoms have rapidly worsened. She became agitated, uncoordinated, and gradually began to lose herself.
Her owner prescribed her anti-seizure medication and she felt better for a while, but then her inevitable happened. Her owners were devastated by her loss and for the first time in her life they were without a dog at home.
Earlier in 2023, they lost Betty and Lola, who also faced a series of health issues and lost their life battle.
“We are still in shock and are devastated, and trying to process this unimaginable traumatic year we’ve had to endure,” they wrote on Instagram.
Still, they are grateful for the opportunity to make the lives of these little angels better, at least for a second.
Despite their not-so-glamorous past, one thing’s for sure – Louise, Betty, and Lola spent their golden years surrounded by the people who loved them so much!
