Golden Retriever Dedicates Two Hours Daily to Shower Strangers with Hugs on Her Strolls
In Chelsea, New York, a Golden Retriever named Louboutina is turning everyday sidewalk moments into full-on feel-good missions, and she does it by doing the one thing most people are too cool for: hugging strangers.
Her owner, 45-year-old Fernandez-Chavez, says it is not a regular walk, it is a walk with hugging, two hours a day, where people who are just trying to get through their day suddenly get stopped in their tracks by Loubie’s paws and her warm, determined affection.
And it all started around Valentine’s Day in 2014, after a breakup, when Fernandez-Chavez joked about having someone to hold hands with, only for that joke to turn into a daily community hug-fest.
Meet Louboutina
This Golden Retriever is on a mission to spread love
Loubie hails from Chelsea, a bustling neighborhood in New York City, where she has grown into somewhat of a celebrity for her unique and heartwarming interactions with people on the street.
She spends about two hours each day hugging strangers
Her owner, 45-year-old Fernandez-Chavez, says: "It’s just not a regular walk; it’s a walk with hugging. A lot of people say she’s made their day… If they had a bad day at work, maybe that’s just what they needed."
It all began just around Valentine’s Day in 2014, when Loubie started taking her owner’s hand after he had put an end to a relationship
"She started sitting up and grabbing my hands with both of her paws, and then crossing the other paw over her paw.
I remember joking with my friends, 'At least I have someone to hold hands with during Valentine’s.'"
Now, Fernandez-Chavez realizes that not only he, but the entire world, needs the warmth his dog has to offer.
Everybody needs hugs…!
Loubie’s “walk with hugging” is so consistent that Chelsea residents start recognizing her routine, even when they did not plan on interacting with anyone that day.
The whole thing traces back to Valentine’s Day in 2014, when Fernandez-Chavez had just ended a relationship and Loubie started grabbing his hands like she knew exactly what he needed.
Now, after two hours of hugging strangers, it is not just his mood that gets lifted, it is the random strangers who show up on her stroll and get their day flipped.
Even the Valentine’s “at least I have someone to hold hands with” moment feels bigger in hindsight, because Loubie basically turned that heartbreak comfort into a neighborhood habit.
Scientific studies have found that physical touch, such as hugging, can stimulate the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and foster happiness. This means that Loubie isn't just providing warm, furry embraces; she's effectively contributing to the well-being and happiness of those she encounters.
The impact she creates on her community and beyond highlights the incredible bond humans share with their pets, especially dogs. Through their love, loyalty, and affection, dogs can play a pivotal role in enhancing our emotional health, teaching us about empathy, and reminding us of the simple joys in life.
Indeed, every hug from Loubie is more than just a hug—it's a dose of serotonin, a moment of shared joy, and a testament to the loving spirit of our canine companions.
In Chelsea, Louboutina is not just spreading love, she is collecting it, one hug at a time.
Next, see how Ping An still walked over 60 miles to reunite with family.
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