An urgent search is underway in the Highlands to find Louie, a two-year-old golden retriever and vital support dog for 17-year-old Ellie Lynn, who has been missing for two weeks. Trained to alert Ellie’s family when she is about to have an epileptic seizure, Louie slipped his lead while walking on the narrow path to Steall Falls in Glen Nevis during heavy rain.
Ellie’s mother, Louise Manson, 41, from Fort William, shared how the family has been leaving food and Louie’s dirty clothes along the trail in hopes that he will catch their scent. They have also camped nearby, held barbecues, and enlisted the help of locals and visiting walkers to search the area. Wildlife cameras have been set up to try to spot him.
Their hope was renewed recently when a tracker dog, after sniffing Louie’s blanket, picked up his scent—despite the harsh weather conditions. “It must have been recent because the rain has been horrendous,” Louise told BBC News. “It gives us a lot of hope that he’s still alive. People have also been hearing barking.”
Louise recalled the moment Louie went missing. “A family was passing us, the kids were upset, the rain was pouring, and Louie slipped his lead,” she said. “We looked down, and he was literally gone. We don’t know what happened to him.” Despite thorough searching, including scanning the river and surrounding area, there was no sign of Louie.
The family quickly reached out to the community on Facebook, and soon locals joined the search efforts. “Louie is so friendly and bubbly. He’s like one of the kids,” Louise said. “If Ellie is home alone and feeling insecure, he’s by her side. If she’s building up to a seizure, he somehow senses it and alerts us. He’s pretty amazing.”
The family has found this time incredibly hard. “It’s been really difficult,” Louise said, “but the help has been amazing, phenomenal.” She holds onto hope, saying, “I’ve heard of dogs appearing five years later, five months later. He’s a member of the family. He sits at the table with us when we have dinner. He’s definitely special.”
Ellie expressed how much Louie means to her. “He helps me with my epilepsy. He doesn’t really bark but tries to make people notice something’s wrong and takes them to where I am. Then he lies on my chest or stomach. He’s very friendly, happy and cuddly. It’s weird without him around the house. I miss him a lot.”
The search for Louie continues as the community rallies around Ellie and her family, hoping for the safe return of their beloved support dog.