Lewis, the golden retriever of Natalie and Ryan Imhoff, owners of Celina’s Buff City Soap, has an out-of-the-normal adoption story. Lewis was born and raised in the South Korean meat markets.
On July 4th, 2022, Natalie lost her beloved golden, Murphy, too soon. He was young but was found to have cancer and died shortly after the diagnosis. Natalie felt strongly that instead of purchasing her next Golden from a reputable breeder, she wanted to honor her dog Murphy by rescuing next. After doing a lot of research and going down some rabbit holes, Natalie started learning about the horrific conditions in the South Korean meat markets. She discovered that dogs were being rescued and brought back to the United States. Natalie knew this was something that would take a lot of patience and many unknowns, but she was willing to put in the work know matter what.
Through hours and hours of internet searching, Natalie found Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas (RRLV). It was founded in Las Vegas, NV by Danielle Roth-Lapolla and Jon Lapolla in 2019 and focuses on International Rescue Retrievers. RRLV’s goal is to save dogs in terrible situations overseas. The more Natalie learned about the rescue and the dogs they rescued, the more she knew this was the route she wanted to take. She completed the application and interview process but was turned down. Natalie soon learned that RRLV only places dogs within 100 miles of the foundation. They do not want any of their rescued dogs placed in a shelter again, so they must be close enough to collect them if necessary. After some back and forth, it was determined that the adoption manager's sister lives in the Gunter area so a compromise could be arranged.
Soon, Natalie received news that a male golden, about three years old, had been rescued from a slaughterhouse. He was quickly moved to the Retriever Rescue Lodge, which was started by RRLV. The Lodge has everything a dog needs to survive while getting healthy and waiting on their freedom flights to Las Vegas. After being rescued, they offer everything they can including a safe place to lay their heads. The Lodge provides 24-hour security cameras inside and out, suites for each rescue, an indoor and outdoor playroom, a bathing station, food, and constant love!
In February 2023, Lewis made his freedom flight from South Korea to Las Vegas. The rescue team coached Natalie through the first few days of adjustment for Lewis. Natalie needed to be the first person who opened his travel crate, to be the one consistently by his side, and to be sensitive to the abuse and trauma he had faced.
Natalie would spend one night in a hotel in Las Vegas. She went in through the back door to limit Lewis’s exposure to the lights and sounds of a casino. Natalie knew she was doing the right thing when the hotel security guard who let them in was also named Lewis. The next day, Natalie and Lewis boarded a JSX Charter flight to allow him to travel with her in the cabin to Dallas. Although he had his own seat, his seat of preference was her lap or the aisle floor at her feet.
After arriving home, Lewis had a long recovery ahead of him. He was still undergoing treatment for worms. It was found that he had a broken tail and a cracked tooth. Because he had always been on a grate floor and in a crate, he had nerve damage in his paws and minimal muscle tone. It has taken time for him to develop the strength to jump on the bed or couch, climb the stairs, or even walk down the street and back. Natalie confirms that he is her constant companion, and she is his person.
In July 2023, Lewis was given a buddy. Golden Retriever number two was rehomed to the Imhoff family. Nash was a six-month-old Golden full of all the energy and crazy you expect from a puppy. Nash has been great for Lewis, teaching him how to behave like a dog.
Lewis will always carry some trauma from his past. He does not like anyone to touch his feet or loud noises. He does not want people to walk behind him or to walk through doors when someone is standing nearby. He is shy and reserved around people he does not know. But, Natalie shares how you can also see his natural Golden Retriever personality coming to the surface. "He is so loving and perfect for our family," Natalie says.
You can learn more about Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas at RetrieverRescueLV.com