Louis the Dog: A Hero's Journey Honoring Late Wife and Raising Awareness

Louis, an English Setter-cross from Wiltshire, has been recognized as a finalist in The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. This award celebrates the special bond between people and their dogs. Louis and his owner, Nick Johnson, walked over 3,000 miles of the English coastline in 2023. This journey honored Nick's late wife, Lisa, who passed away from ovarian cancer. They raised over £60,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action. Nick shared that Louis is a rescue dog, and he feels Louis rescued him too. Their bond grew strong after Lisa's passing. Before she died, Lisa asked Nick to become an ambassador for the charity. The walk helped Nick reflect and raise awareness. Nick and Louis will attend Crufts, where the Hero Dog winner will be announced. The public can vote for their favorite story until March 9th. The winner will receive £5,000 for their chosen dog charity. Other finalists will receive £1,000. Bill Lambert from Crufts said the award celebrates the unique relationships with dogs. He anticipates an emotional announcement at Crufts 2025.