As of today, August 1, 2025, Harley’s Hope is launching a new service — the Louis Steinwedel Memorial Pet Cancer Fund. The creation of this fund was made possible by a generous donation from Louis’ family, and will allow Harley’s Hope to make larger grants for cancer cases, regardless of species of animal or veterinary care provider.

While we’d like to think most cancer cases are treatable, there may be situations where supportive care is the way to go.  For example, if a companion animal is quite elderly, putting them through surgery or chemotherapy may be too much for them. In those cases, with the Steinwedel family’s blessing, we will also be able to offer palliative care to keep those older pets comfortable during their transition to the Rainbow Bridge. Helping us make these often difficult decisions is local veterinarian Dr. Monica Campos, who will serve as the fund’s veterinary advisor.

So, who was Louis Steinwedel and what is his connection to this effort? He was an avid animal lover who shared with his cousin, Sandy, before he passed that he wanted to help pet parents who couldn’t afford treatment for their animals. We are so honored that his family chose Harley’s Hope as the vehicle to help make his wish come true. I’ll let  Sandy share the rest of Louis’s story.

Louis Steinwedel was passionate about supporting animals, in particular dogs.

As an only child, he obtained his first dog, Skippy, that was the start of his appreciation of the companionship and play that a pet offers. As an adult, he adopted an abandoned female Papillon named Sable. Shortly thereafter, he became a proud owner of two more, Ludwig and Albert, who were the puppies of Sable. He adopted them all and often spoke fondly of their antics and affectionate behaviors as they grew to be a part of his home.

Unfortunately, Sable became ill and was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and the only potential lifesaving recommendation was brain surgery. The cost was very high, but Louis did not hesitate to do everything to save her life. Unfortunately, she crossed over the rainbow bridge from the tumor.

Ludwig and Albert continued to thrive and were a great comfort to Louis’s mom, who lived with him because she was battling cancer. You would always see one of the puppies on her lap during her home treatments.

Prior to leaving the East Coast for Colorado, Zachary joined the household. In 2018, Zachary took the three-day trip to Pueblo West, sitting on Louis’s lap while watching out the window as they passed through each state. At each hotel stop, Louis always made sure he got a room with two beds – one for him and one for Zachary. Zachary needed his own spot according to Louis.

Louis and Zachary found a good life in Colorado. Sadly, in 2021, Zachary became ill and was diagnosed with cancer that was treated in Colorado Springs. After many months of treatments, it was clear that Zachary’s improvement was declining. It was a very difficult time for Louis to acknowledge that he was about to lose another loved companion. The local vet agreed that there was not much else that could be done  – that Zachary was in terrible pain and discomfort and that euthanasia should be considered.

Louis, who was aging, missed the companionship of a pet, so he started his search for a new puppy. He particularly wanted a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. It wasn’t long until he found one whom he named Hudson, his mother’s maiden name. 

As Louis’s health declined, Hudson was always beside him and gave him great comfort. Even in Louis’s final days, he always spoke of the happiness a pet provides a family every day, as well as the comfort it provides during the difficult times.

To apply for assistance through the Louis Steinwedel Memorial Pet Fund, please visit the Our Services page on our website — https://www.harleys-hopefoundation.org/our-services/.