• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Dog People by Rover.com

Powered by Rover.com

Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

  • The Dog People by Rover.com
  • Get Rover
    • Boarding
    • House Sitting
    • Dog Walking
    • Doggy Day Care
    • Drop-In Visits
    • Dog Training through Good Pup
  • Dog Breeds
    • Golden Retriever
    • Australian Shepherd
    • German Shepherd
    • Pomeranian
    • Shih Tzu
    • Border Collie
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Boxer
    • Beagle
    • Dachshund
    • Chihuahua
    • Poodle
    • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Dog Names
    • Best Girl Dog Names
    • Top Boy Dog Names
    • Unique Dog Names
    • Cute Dog Names
    • Best Puppy Names
    • Dog Name Generator
    • Tough Dog Names
    • Food Dog Names
    • Romantic Dog Names
    • Literary Dog Names
    • Country Dog Names
  • Dog Videos
  • Life with Dogs
    • Dog Safety
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition
    • Dog Training
    • Health and Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Can My Dog Eat…?
  • PuppyHQ
    • Dog Adoption
    • Puppy Essentials
    • Puppy Names
    • Puppy Training
  • Shopping
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • All Dog Product Guides
    • Dog Gift Guides
    • Safety and Training
    • Toys and Chews
  • Cats!
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Cat Psychology
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Love
    • Cute
    • Funny
    • Heartwarming
    • Quizzes
    • Trending
    • True Stories
    • Search Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • Sitter Resources
  • Languages
    • en-CA
    • en-GB
    • fr-FR
    • es-ES
    • de-DE
    • it-IT
    • nl-NL
    • nb-NO
    • sv-SE
    • fr-CA

Dog Who Couldn’t Walk as a Pup Wants You to Know You Are Doing Great

Share243Pin It0
Prancing dog
Fenix enjoying a walk. Photo courtesy of Fenix ‘Happy Dog’ Lumiere

Dog Who Couldn’t Walk as a Pup Wants You to Know You Are Doing Great

For Dog People
By Susan Wyatt

Share243Tweet0Pin It0

When Fenix Lumiere was a puppy, he struggled because he couldn’t move normally due to the brain disorder he was born with. Four years later, the white Husky with the brilliant blue eyes is a prancing, happy dog sharing his love of life with people around the world.

Fenix was born with cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects his balance and coordination.

When he was two months old, he was dropped off at a high-kill shelter with his sister.

Puppy with graphic

Courtesy of Fenix ‘Happy Dog’ Lumiere

“They were massively underweight, and so we don’t know the story prior to them getting dropped off,” said Fenix’s mom, Zoe Lumiere.

Both pups were weak with tremors.

“They were shaking so bad they thought they had distemper, then parvo,” said Lumiere. “So, it actually took quite a lot to figure out what was wrong with them.”

Fenix couldn’t stand and he would fall over if he tried to walk.

A Fenix Rises

A rescue called I Stand With My Pack gave him the care and love he needed to survive and become available for adoption.

Puppy with his people

Photo courtesy of Fenix ‘Happy Dog’ Lumiere

Lumiere said she and husband Eric had been looking for a dog to adopt, visiting shelters and checking the Petfinder app.

When Eric saw Fenix on the app he was immediately taken by the pup and he sent Zoe a photo.

“I started crying when I saw his little face and read about his condition,” she said.

They met Fenix and took him home the next day.

“It happened so quickly because we just knew he was ours. It was quite magical,” said Lumiere.

“We didn’t know what it would be like when we got him, but really, he has a mild condition. Cerebellar hypoplasia is much a more challenging condition for many, many dogs,” she said. “So, I don’t want to downplay the disease, the disorder, in any way because it is very challenging. Some dogs need wheelchairs to move. But his condition is very mild.”

The shelter had chosen the name “Phoenix” because the pup had seemingly risen from the ashes. Lumiere said the change of the spelling to “Fenix” was made because it felt less sophisticated and more playful.

“More like Fenix’s character,” she said.

Slow and Steady Steps of Progress

Fenix is now four years old and his coordination has improved over the years.

“When we got him, if he would start to run, he would fall over,” said Lumiere. “He couldn’t change direction without falling. He couldn’t jump, he couldn’t do stairs.”

But over time Fenix has learned to navigate. He walks very slowly and with a wide gait.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fenix “Happy Dog” Lumiere (@fenixlumiere)

“In order to move more quickly, he can’t run like a normal dog, so he prances,” said Lumiere. “It’s just the most adorable thing that in order to move a little more quickly, he’s just developed this ability to prance like a dressage horse.”

Lumiere said because it takes Fenix more effort to get around, after about a 15-minute walk, he’s tired out.

“So, we go out four or five times a day because he loves to walk,” she said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fenix “Happy Dog” Lumiere (@fenixlumiere)

Fenix can do most things that other dogs can do.

“But all of those things just require more effort than a normal dog,” she said.

In spite of his disability, multiple veterinarians have told Lumiere that Fenix is not in any pain.

“He’s happy, he’s healthy, and he has a full life expectancy.”

Just a Hap-Hap-Happy Dog

Fenix’s cheerful outlook has inspired the “Happy Guy Movement.” He has nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram and 2.1 million followers on TikTok, along with 9.6 million likes and counting.

Fenix prancing to “Happy Dog” racked up 7 million likes.

@fenixlumiere I’m sending my Love and #happyguy vibes to you! #awesomelyabled #dogsoftiktok #dancingdog #prancingdog #happydog #dog #husky #huskysoftiktok ♬ Happy Dog – DJ Moody

“Whenever we go out, we get people like ‘Oh my God, is this the happy dog?’ Or we get ‘Did you train him to do that?’ And we’re always like, ‘Oh, my Lord, I wish we could take credit for this, but it is him and it’s just how he’s adapted.’“

Fenix and his smiling face have brought joy to his fans—including the likes of some high-profile celebrities.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kevin Bacon (@kevinbacon)

Shining His Light

“We get a lot of, ‘If I feel down, I just go to his page and just watch video after video, and then I feel better,’” said Lumiere. “And then there’s a lot of people who are very inspired because we have tried to also share disability inclusion and disability awareness.”

Lumiere said sometimes people comment that Fenix’s condition is not funny.

“He’s got a disorder that’s a brain illness. You shouldn’t be making fun of that. That’s not happy. That’s sad,” she said.

But Lumiere said she enjoys responding in a loving way.

“Say, you know, actually, no, he’s perfect as he is, and he is here to be seen and celebrated. And what a great way that we can start to learn not to hide or pity or shame disabilities,” said Lumiere. “Yes, he’s different, but he is not in any pain, he is not unhappy. Yes, he has a disorder.”

“I just feel like it’s really done a lovely thing for disabilities,” said Lumiere. “We’re in conversation with a lot of people who have different disabilities who say, you know, Fenix being loud and proud does help them keep going and help them appreciate they’re different.”

Dog with message

Photo courtesy of Fenix ‘Happy Dog’ Lumiere

The Art of Acceptance

Lumiere, who lives in Ventura, California with her husband and Fenix, is a life coach. She said her business revolves around helping people use the tools of self-love and self-forgiveness as a way to let go of the past and the difficult things that have happened to them, and to learn to be happy.

Because so many people have been inspired by Fenix, she decided to create a health and wellness program that revolves around him.

@fenixlumiere

How does a #dog know how to prance in time to the music?! I guess he’s just InTheMood?! #prancingdog #dancingdog #snowdog #winterwonderland #husky

♬ In The Mood – Glenn Miller

“It teaches people about intention, about healthy habits, about emotional health, about mental health, about forgiveness, about letting go of being judgmental, about gratitude and volunteering and service,” she said.

You can sign up for free happiness coaching at her website.

“It’s got a pep talk from [Fenix], just encouraging them to show up as their happy selves, and it also gives a life coaching guide from me, just working with a particular skill,” said Lumiere.

@fenixlumiere

My Heart is Full of Sunshine ☀️#happydog #tiktokdogs #rescue #dogsofttiktok #doglove #dog #cerebellarhypoplasiadogs

♬ Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra

Lumiere said the content members receive is grounded in basic psychology.

“One of the big messages I’ve also tried to share is that it is really important what we do with our sad moments,” she said. “It’s normal, it’s healthy, to feel sad.”

Sad dog

Courtesy of Fenix ‘Happy Dog’ Lumiere

“And the biggest psychological thing that we can do for ourselves is to be kind and loving and supportive of ourselves when we feel down, don’t push ourselves. Don’t be critical. Don’t kind of judge and kick ourselves when we’re down. It’s okay to feel that sadness. “

“It’s been really lovely to talk about that with people and share that oh, my God, life’s a challenge and we’re all challenged. If even the happy dog’s not happy all the time, then maybe it’s okay when I don’t feel up all the time.”

Lumiere said she believes Fenix’s story of overcoming is a powerful one.

“Overcoming our challenges is always going to, I believe, help us find more love and more courage, more compassion for ourselves and others,” she said.

Playdates With Sis

In case you’re wondering, Fenix’s sister Nube, who was born with the same condition, is doing as great as Fenix. Her dog tag happily states, “I move with a groove and I like to play!”

Fenix and Nube get together for play dates and walks, and you can follow her on her Instagram page.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nube Sage Jansky (@nube_the_bouncy_husky)

You Might Also Like

  • Morty the Misfit Will Prance His Way Into Your Heart
  • Disabled Dog Adapts to Life After Accident by Walking Upright Like a Human
  • Free Roaming Husky Has Rescued Multiple Hikers in the National Park Near His Home 
Share243Tweet0Pin It0
Avatar photo

Susan Wyatt

Susan Wyatt is a writer and copy editor who loves to share stories about pets and the people who love them. She enjoys gardening, reading and playing bagpipes, and is mum to a ginger cat named Vinny (aka Yawny McYawnface).

sidebar

Avatar photo
By Susan Wyatt

Share This Article

Share243Tweet0Pin It0

Popular Posts

  • 5 Frighteningly Common Reasons Dogs Run Away
  • 5 Reasons Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws — And How to Help
  • The ‘Catluminati’ Magically Makes Friends With Every Cat He Meets
  • Meet Tater Tot, the Internet’s Favorite Foster Kitty
  • The Incredible Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs (Plus Recipes)
  • Peggy the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Molly the Magpie Make the Cutest, Unlikely BFFs
  • Do Cats Know Their Names—Or Are They Ignoring You On Purpose?
  • Rover’s Holiday Food Safety Guide for Pets
  • Kids and Pets: What You Need to Know For Safe Interactions
  • Mary the Tabby Cat Can’t Stop Bringing Huge Piles of Leaves Home to Her Family
Advertisement
Advertisement

Learn More

  • About Rover.com
  • Download the App
  • Rover Store
  • Sitter Resources
  • In The Press
  • Terms of Service
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • User Terms
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookie Policy
Advertisement
Your privacy choices
© 2023 Rover.com. All Rights Reserved.