Meet Steve: How a Tiny Dachshund Found His Way Into Loudermilk Designs
Some stories are planned. Others quite literally stop you in your tracks.
Steve’s story began on an ordinary day. Chrissy, with Loudermilk Designs, was leaving her in-laws’ house and had only been on the road for about five minutes when she spotted a tiny dog standing in the middle of the road near a large open field. She slowed just in time—nearly running him over.
The small dachshund was shaking and clearly scared, but when Chrissy reached for him, he calmly let her pick him up and place him in her lap. Almost immediately, he settled in, clearly relieved to be safe.
Chrissy brought him back to her in-laws’ house to see if they might want to keep him, but while they loved him, it wasn’t the right time. Her father-in-law removed a few ticks, though it was clear the dog was covered. Chrissy then took him home, where her family gave him a much-needed bath—turning it into a fun, impromptu family moment. Unfortunately, without a fenced yard and with Steve’s love for wandering, it became clear he needed a different long-term home.
“Chrissy’s family gave me the best bath!”
Chrissy contacted shelters, checked for a microchip, and searched for anyone missing a dachshund—but no one was looking for him. As word spread through the office, Roane Loudermilk immediately took notice. Her family had previously owned dachshunds, and something about Steve felt familiar. She asked Chrissy to bring him into the office to see if he might be a good fit.
It didn’t take long.
Steve was taken straight to the vet for shots, vaccines, and treatment for ticks and fleas. The vet estimated he was about a year old. Somewhere between that visit and a few quiet moments together, Roane fell in love—and Steve had his forever home.
Today, Steve lives happily with Roane, her husband Sherwin, and his much-larger (but equally loved) brother, Bernie the Bernedoodle. He’s also become the unofficial mascot of both The Loudermilk Group and Loudermilk Designs.
If you’ve visited our office, you’ve likely met him—curled up on Roane’s lap, popping into meetings, and reminding us all that the best additions aren’t always planned.
Steve simply showed up, needed help, and found a home. And in doing so, he became part of our story.
