VHS Adoption Spotlight

HE'S STANDOFF-ISH AT "

FIRST, BUT ONCE HE CONNECTS WITH YOU, HE'S YOUR BEST FRIEND."

LOUIE

VHS ADOPTION SPOTLIGHT

Evansville's Kory Miller has a direct line to the VHS; after all, his fiancée just happens to be Laurie Byers, the organization's Development & Public Relations Coordinator. So when the time came to say goodbye to his beloved dachshund Manny last year (the couple also lost their elderly Chihuahua during the same period), he didn't have to look far for a new furry friend to add to the remaining pack at home which includes another Chihuahua and two cats - all rescues, naturally. In fact, Laurie already had her eye on a long-haired dachshund (with a mix of terrier, perhaps) that arrived at the VHS, a "little bitty" stray named Louie that was picked up by Animal Control. And time seemed to be of the essence.

"Of course, no dog likes being in the shelter, but he was one that didn't do well," Miller explains. Louie reportedly enjoyed a brief stay with a VHS volunteer to alleviate some of his anxiety - but she already had a full house so Miller and Byers made the decision to welcome this "super sweet" pup into their home permanently. And Louie was a perfect fit. "He just kind of filled a good spot in our house," Miller notes. "He filled in the dachshund spot for me and he's the same size as "Showbiz," our Chihuahua that we lost. He's a perfect blend of both dogs but in puppy form."

Still, the transition from the shelter proved to be a bit challenging - and remains so. "Louie's still learning - he's a young pup in a house of more mature pets," Miller says. "He's just a little wild - more rambunctious than we initially thought, and he's still learning to get along with the cats and vice-versa. But overall, he's pretty great." Despite his small size, Louie certainly doesn't lack for an appetite, quick to devour any and all food and he loves to destroy toys. "He's just got an incredible ability to go through them, no matter what the tag says - "invincible, indestructible" - he doesn't care; he shows it that he means business," Miller says. "He's super sweet, though; that's why we fell in love with him. He's standoff-ish at first, but once he connects with you, he's your best friend."