When Fenix Lumiere was a puppy, he struggled because he couldn’t move normally due to a congenital brain disorder. Four years later, the white Husky with brilliant blue eyes is a cheerful dog who happily shares his love of life with people around the world.
Fenix was born with cerebellar hypoplasiaThis affects his balance and coordination.
When he was two months old, he was abandoned at a high-kill shelter with his sister.
Courtesy of Fenix ’Happy Dog’ Lumiere
“They were massively underweight, and so we didn’t know the story before they were abandoned,” said Fenix’s mother, Zoe Lumiere.
Both children were weak from shaking.
“They shook so much that they thought they had distemper, then parvo,” says Lumiere. “So it actually took quite a while to figure out what happened to them.”
Fenix can’t stand and he will fall if he tries to walk.
A Rise of Fenix
A rescue called I stand with my pack gave him the care and love he needed to survive and possibly adopt.
Photo courtesy of Fenix ’Happy Dog’ Lumiere
Lumiere said she and her husband Eric were looking for a dog to adopt, visiting shelters and checking in Petfinder application.
When Eric saw Fenix on the app, he was immediately snapped by the puppy and he sent Zoe a photo.
“I started crying when I saw his little face and read about his condition,” she said.
They meet Fenix and bring him home the next day.
“It happened so quickly because we only knew he was ours. It’s pretty magical,” said Lumiere.
“We don’t know what it’s going to be like when we get him, but actually he’s mildly ill. Cerebellar hypoplasia is a much more difficult condition for a lot of dogs,” she says. “So I don’t want to downplay the disease, the disorder, in any way because it’s very difficult. Some dogs need a wheelchair to get around. But his condition is very mild.”
The shelter chose the name “Phoenix” because the dog appeared to have risen from the ashes. Lumiere said the spelling change to “Fenix” was done because it felt less complicated and more playful.
“More like Fenix’s character,” she said.
Slow and steady progress
Fenix is now four years old and his coordination has improved over the years.
“When we caught him, if he started running, he would fall,” said Lumiere. “He couldn’t change direction without falling. He can’t jump, he can’t take the stairs.”
But over time, Fenix learned to navigate. He walks very slowly and has a wide gait.
“To move faster, he can’t run like a normal dog, so he gives praise,” said Lumiere. “It’s just the loveliest thing is that in order to move a little faster, he’s developed this ability to walk like a dressed horse.”
Lumiere said that because Fenix needed more effort to get around, after about 15 minutes of walking, he was tired.
“So we hang out four or five times a day because he likes to walk,” she said.
Fenix can do most of the things other dogs can do.
“But all of that just requires more effort than an average dog,” she says.
Despite her disability, many vets have told Lumiere that Fenix is pain-free.
“He’s happy, he’s healthy and he has a full lifespan.”
Just a Hap-Hap-Happy Dog
Fenix’s cheerful outlook inspired the “Happy Boys Movement”. He has almost 200,000 followers on Instagram and 2.1 million followers on TikTokalong with 9.6 million likes and keep growing.
Fenix catches up “Happy Dog” reached 7 million likes.
@fenixlumiere I’m sending my love and #happyguy vibes with you! #awesomelyable #dogsoftiktok #dancingdog #prancingdog #happy dog #dog #husky #huskysoftiktok ♬ Happy Dog – DJ Moody
“Whenever we go out, we get people like, ‘Oh my God, is this a happy dog?’ Or we get ‘Did you train him to do that?’ And we always say, ‘Oh, my God, I wish we could credit this, but that’s him and it’s just how he adapts.’ “
Fenix and his smiling face have brought joy to his fans—including celebrities like some celebs.
Shine His Light
“We get a lot of things,“If I’m feeling down, I just go to his site and watch video after video, and then I feel better,” said Lumiere. “And then there were a lot of people who were very inspired because we tried to share disability inclusion and disability awareness.”
Lumiere said people sometimes comment that Fenix’s condition isn’t fun at all.
“He has a disorder, which is a brain disease. You shouldn’t joke about it. That is not happiness. That’s sad,” she said.
But Lumiere said she likes to reciprocate lovingly.
“Say, you know, actually, no, he’s perfect as he is, and he’s here to be seen and celebrated. And what a wonderful way we can begin to learn not to hide, pity or shame our disabilities,” said Lumiere. “Yes, he is different, but he is not hurt, he is not unhappy. Yes, he is disordered.”
“I just feel it really did a lovely thing for people with disabilities,” said Lumiere. “We’re talking to a lot of people with different disabilities who say, you know, Fenix is always loud and proud to keep them going and help them appreciate their differences. me.”
Photo courtesy of Fenix ’Happy Dog’ Lumiere
The art of accepting
Lumiere, who lives in Ventura, California with her husband and Fenix, is a life coach. She says her business revolves around helping people use self-love and forgiveness tools as a way to let go of the past and the hard things that have happened to them. learning to be happy.
Since so many people have been inspired by Fenix, she decided to create a health and wellness program around him.
@fenixlumiere How to a #dog know how to get into the music?! I guess he’s just InTheMood?! #prancingdog #dancingdog #snowdog #Winter Haven #husky
“It teaches people about intention, about healthy habits, about emotional health, about mental health, about forgiveness, about letting go of judgment, about gratitude and volunteering and serving. ,” she said.
You can register Free happiness coaching at her website.
“It has a small talk from [Fenix]just encourages them to show off as their fun selves, and it also gives me a life coaching guide, just working on a specific skill,” said Lumiere.
@fenixlumiere My heart is full of sunshine ️#happy dog #tiktokdogs #rescue #dogsofttiktok #doglove #dog #cerebellarhypoplasiadogs
Lumiere says the content members receive is based on basic psychology.
“One of the big messages that I also tried to share is that what we do with moments of sadness is really important,” she said. “It’s normal, it’s healthy, to feel sad.”
Courtesy of Fenix ’Happy Dog’ Lumiere
“And the biggest psychological thing we can do for ourselves is be kind and loving, support ourselves when we feel down, don’t push ourselves. Don’t criticize. Don’t judge and kick ourselves when we’re down. It’s okay to feel sad. “
“It’s lovely to talk about it with people and share that oh, my God, life is a challenge and we all have it. If even a happy dog isn’t happy all the time, maybe I’m not happy all the time. “
Lumiere said she believes Fenix’s passing story is a powerful one.
“Overcoming the challenges that always come, I believe, helps us to find love and more courage and compassion towards ourselves and others,” she said.
Playdates With Sis
In case you were wondering, Fenix’s sister Nube, who was born with the same condition, is doing great as Fenix. Her dog happily says, “I move with grooves and I love to play!”
Fenix and Nube go on dates together, go for walks and you can follow her Instagram page.
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