We adopted our now nearly 11-year-old German Shepherd, Louise, in the days following the 2016 flood. When we saw a plea from Companion Animal Alliance for foster homes for their exploding pet population, we headed straight to the shelter, then still located out by the airport.

It was my sister who first spotted the small, shivering dog in the corner of the concrete cage. She was skinny, scared and missing much of her fur. “We think she’s a chihuahua mix,” they told us.

Louise became a permanent and irreplaceable member of our family that day. Slowly, her mange subsided, and, with proper nutrition, it quickly became clear that she is not, as previously theorized, a chihuahua.

One thing that didn’t change about Louise, though, was her quiet demeanor. This worried my mother endlessly. With a pack of boisterous dogs running around our house, we couldn’t figure out why Louise didn’t seem to be letting her true personality show.

In a quest for answers, my parents brought in a dog psychic. Now, I am not an expert in this, so if my terminology is wrong, well, too bad. She did an energy reading—or something like that—and concluded that while Louise was happy, her chakras were closed. My mother was devastated. How could this be? We love her unconditionally. Doesn’t she know that?

When I was pregnant with my first son, one of my dogs passed away suddenly. Worried about my other dog feeling lonely and upset, especially with a baby on the way, I asked if Louise could visit. Well, it’s been 6 years, and Louise’s visit still hasn’t ended.

Something interesting has happened with Louise since we welcomed my two sons. I believe that her chakras have opened; that she can now fully feel the unconditional love.

Motherhood has changed Louise, and it has been amazing to watch. In the middle of the night, I hear her patter down the hall, push open their door and make a lap checking on them in their beds. When they wake up in the morning or get home from school in the afternoon, she is over the moon, bouncing on her front paws and wagging her tail faster than I thought possible. But my favorite thing is her howling.

“I know we’re related because she howls with us,” my oldest son says. “That’s how I know we’re in the same pack.”

Louise is always prepared to lend her voice to any of my kids’ spirited games. And there’s simply nothing cuter than watching them all howl together. Louise found her voice, and it’s alongside two tiny ones.

Sometimes, changing a life isn’t a straightforward path. It’s a winding road with detours, pit stops and the occasional bump—or closed chakra. In the September 2026 issue, we’re telling the stories of some amazing women working to pave these roads for others in our community and beyond. From grand gestures to a simple helping hand, these women have dedicated their lives to making a difference for others, no matter how winding the road.

I hope the issue inspires you. And I hope Louise’s story reminds you that progress takes time and sometimes, it’s the little things—and people—that make the biggest impact. And if all else fails, just howl with your friends. From what I’ve observed, it can be quite therapeutic.

Looking forward,

Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois

Editor