Louboutina is New York City's very own celebrity hugging dog whose full-time job is taking walks and cuddling everyone she sees. Cesar Fernandez-Chavez and his Loubie never practised this trick - she started doing it all on her own.
Source: Louboutinanyc/Instagram
The pup started by holding hands, just after her human had come out of a long-term relationship. He told The Dodo:
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.
Source: Louboutinanyc/Instagram
Soon, on every walk, Loubie began to stop every few meters and hold hand with everyone she met.
Source: Louboutinanyc/Instagram
People thought it was the cutest thing they had ever seen and she got a lot of attention.
Source: Louboutinanyc/Instagram
Then, gradually, the golden retriever started dishing out hugs to people she made a connection with. When she would see neighbors or people she knew, instead of sitting next to them, she would wrap her paws around that person's legs.
Source: Louboutinanyc/Instagram
She started doing it with strangers, too, but not any strangers - only those she wouldmake a bond with. Cesar continued:
Sometimes people run up and ask for a hug, but I tell them, 'I don't think it's going to happen,' because she has to bond with that person first. But when she sits next to someone, then I say, 'You're probably going to get a hug.
Source: Louboutinanyc/Instagram
Loubie obviously loves hugging people, and they adore it too.
Source: Louboutinanyc/Instagram
She soon became a social media star as pictures started appearing on the internet, so Cesar made Loubie her own Instagram account. She currently has over 118k followers.
Source: Louboutinanyc/Instagram
Cesar says that seeing people happy is a wonderful thing, especially in these trying times that we are going through:
It's nice to see people walk away with a smile. Especially with everything that is happening now, people say it's so good to see this on the street. She's bringing them joy. It's very rewarding.
Source: Louboutinanyc/Instagram
Follow Louboutina on Instagram to see her adorable adventures, or if you live near New York, venture to Chelsea and see if the pup deems you adequate for a hug!
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