Dogs of New Paltz features the friendliest, most adventurous dogs located across the New Paltz area. This week’s featured dog is a playful, food-loving pup.
The Gristina family welcomed one of the best boys into their family in October of 2012: Louie. While mainly residing in Mahopac, New York, he frequently makes visits to his owner Danilo Gristina and his friends in New Paltz.
He’s loving, protective, playful and makes a big impression wherever he goes. Try to not play with him, I dare you.
Name and Breed
Lou is a brick red, smooth-haired purebred Miniature Dachshund, commonly called the “weiner dog.” He utilizes his breed’s aptitude for hunting to track down his unsuspecting prey of unattended sandwiches and forgotten scraps. Despite his stubby legs and long body, his breed is surprisingly agile and able to maneuver tight spaces and escape routes, in the off-chance he is a bad boy.
About Louie
Louie is extremely cautious around new people. You will most likely be met with his high-pitched roars upon entering his house for the first time. Louie is fiercely loyal to his close friends and family and is willing to bark at random strangers to prove it. It may take a while for Louie to get used to you, but once he’s comfortable the friendship will be eternal.
Behind his buggy eyes and dazzling smile, Louie masterminds food heists, regardless of his capability of success. At home, Louie is treated to fine Italian cuisine from Danilo’s grandmother like a true Italian pup. He is not a particularly picky eater, except for hot sauce and pretzels, which he despises.
Louie’s Pastimes
Louie is a simple dog. His entire life revolves around his two favorite pastimes: playing fetch and snuggling, though never at the same time.
From the second he wakes up in the morning, Louie’s sole goal is to play fetch and tug-of-war as much as possible. While his favorite toys include his ball, rubber bone and rope, he’s also known to grab hats, plastic bottles and sticks double his length. He will relentlessly shove his toy at your feet and your lap until you snatch it from his hold. However, you must first wait until he drops it or else you’ll engage in a never-ending struggle for control.
