The story of Louie...

Well, this all started on my way into work, Wednesday morning, Nov 19th. I was driving through Mapleton on my way to work and I see a dog in the middle of the road in the middle of town looking lost and scared - just standing there. A car honks at it and it ran across the rr tracks. A train came and I was stuck on one side and the dog was on the other. After it passed I drove around looking for it and finally spotted it quite a ways away on the banks of the Maple river where it runs under the train tracks. It was cold and windy and snowing a bit so I thought it was odd he was just staying there. I drove over there and got out and must have been 75 or more feet away and he started growling and barking and I knew to stay back. I tried to talk to him but he wasn't having it. I had to get going so I dumped some left over McDonalds that was in the car from the day before:) and my tatortot hotdish that was for lunch and left. He ran over to the food right away and started eating. I called a couple radio stations for them to make an annoucement and figured he'd get home. WELLLL...on my way home about 4:45 it was starting to get a little darker out and I was on my way back out to get the kids and sure as heck, the dog was STILL there! UGH. So I went to get the kids, stopped at the grocery store to get some dog food and drove back. He was still barking at me so I dumped the food out and left. I called the sheriff as the pound was already closed. I received a call back from a friend of mine who I didn't realize worked for the sheriff's office and he let me know there were '4 guys trying to get that same dog the day before and they couldn't even get close, unfortunately if they couldn't get him he'd have to get cold enough to come to someone'. MAN, all I could think about all night was that the dog was a goner as it was gonna be so cold that night. I warmed up some leftover roast and hot dogs and tatortot hotdish and brought some water as well and stopped there Thurs morning and WOO HOO! He wasn't a popcicle! He was there and was still barking, but no more growling and he got a little closer - but what dog wouldn't for warm, juicy roast?;) He gladly ate, I talked to him a bit and headed into work. This 8 and 5:30 business kept up daily. On Friday morning I talked to the guy at the pound and he said someone called about a border collie - but I dismissed it thinking a collie means 'lassie' and this dog was black and white. He gave me some tips to try to catch him and that was that. I got a found ad posted for Sat-Mon in the Forum. Friday afternoon I got him some treats and dog toys and headed out there.. He was happy to see me and finally no more growling or barking, but still scared. I spent about a half hour there and figured I'd get some good time in with him on the weekend - the clock was ticking to when I had to leave and head to Bismarck for Thanksgiving. I had determined I tought he was a bit of an english setter or springer spaniel and looked all over the Internet for lost dogs with his description - I found a lost one with the same description from Kansas named Louie. I decided I'd start calling him Louie, he needed a name. Saturday morning rolled around and the weather was warmer - I was there about an hour and gave him his squeeky soccer ball - he loved it! It was so cute - he would throw it up and chase it and roll over it and run - he was having a blast and was FINALLY happy;) I also had a huge milestone...he ate a beggin strip out of my hand! Once it was gone I left my hand out and he smelled my hand, licked my fingers and then looked at me and showed his teeth - YIKES!. I jumped back and yelled "NO LOUIE!". Well, it was time to go ahead - he was full, drank water and was playing with his ball. He followed me both Fri night and Sat morning, but wouldn't get far from the tracks before stopping, poor thing...he SO wanted to go with, but wouldn't. I got a video and pics on my phone of him and showed them to Corey and he said - that's a border collie. SOO, I called the pound and the Fargo pound was closed. I called WFargo and Moorheads and gave them his desciption and called Cass County dispatch to see if they could get in the pound to find out about the people missing a border collie, but no luck, not till Monday... maybe come Monday morning when I call the pound back - they will have info on the people that called about a border collie. Sat night before the Bison game, the kids, Corey and my inlaws all went there with me and we stopped to feed him quick - they all thought he was such a great looking dog. I went back Sunday morning and being it was so nice, spent a long time with him again. I tried to feed him from the tailgate of the truck to get him in, but he wouldn't do it. He did run right up to me and ate most of his food but not all of it - FINALLY he wasn't eating like he was starving anymore! He's been dining on dogfood mixed with hot beef stew, so leaving some was a good step as I wanted to fatten him up for his cold nights under the RR tracks. I also had a new squeeky toy - that looked like a present. He LOVED it...we played catch/fetch for a good 20 min or so AND...drum roll...he let me pet him!!! I was able to pet him probably 10 times...he wasn't cool with it if I was standing up, but if I'd kneel down, he'd come straight over to me. He was so excited for some affection...poor thing. Again, tried to get him to leave with me, but no luck - he knew I was leaving so he took his toy back to his 'house'. Kristi and Holly, being awesome dog lovers, had been worried about him and Holly said she'd take him if I could catch him. I called Kristi and asked if they would meet me out there that afternoon to get him used to other people and so we set a time to meet at 4pm and Holly was going to bring her kennel. WELL - Kristi calls me shortly before 4 asking where I was (I was right down the road) and she said a cop had passed them with a dog in the back! I would have never figured it to be Louie being I had just finally been able to pet him that day and the guys had such a terrible time catching him just days before! We went there and called for him and looked all around and down by his house and no Louie. I called CC dispatch and yes, they had just picked up a black and white, long haired down in Mapleton! The dispatcher kind of knew who I was as I had called about him a few times by then and I asked that the person who picked him up call my cell. I got a call from Steve a short time later and I walked him through Louie's full background and he said he was there the day before (Sat) trying to get him and he found him with a ball so played catch with him (the soccer ball). Sunday afternoon right before we got there he was able to play with him a bit and get him into his car without much of a fight. He said he had the window open between the front and back and was able to pet him on the way and he said he was a really nice, friendly dog! He said he felt like he had been well fed, which he has;) and his teeth are pearly white which means he's been taken care of. We both agree he was most likely dumped off around there - at first I thought maybe he was a hunting dog that was lost, but not likely. I told him I'd find him a home (the pound has to put them to sleep after 5 days) and he agreed that 'a friendly, good looking, young dog like this isn't the type that would or should get put down'. He thinks Louie is about 1.5 to 2 years old. SO - WE NEED TO FIND HIM A HOME...FAST! FRIDAY THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING IS NOT JUST THE SHOPPING BLACK FRIDAY, IT IS LOUIE'S AS WELL! LETS FIND HIM A GOOD HOME! Please contact me or the Cass County Pound if you are interested!!!!! I would be willing to pitch in on an initial vet check, but he seems really healthy. PLEASE PASS THIS AROUND TO ALL THE DOG LOVERS AROUND HERE AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET HIM A HOME BY FRIDAY THE 25TH! Here's the Fargo Pound information...

(701) 232-7312
3210 Main AveFargo, ND

My cell ...701.367.6249

Please let me know if you have any questions! I'll update this blog after I call the pound Monday morning to be sure no one has called on him.

Thanks!

Kelly