Like something straight out of Lassie.

There are a lot of sad dog stories that come out online these days.

Usually we have to get through some really, really sad details before the happy ending.

Last month, for example, a dog was dumped outside a fast food restaurant in the US with a note attached to her collar saying “I’m free, I’m having babies”.

Her owner let her out of the car, ignored her and then drove off.

But after the attention, this poor girl was taken in by an animal shelter and is getting ready to meet her new forever family.

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And while we all willingly strap ourselves into these emotional roller coasters, sometimes it’s nice when there are no unexpected drops.

So, with that in mind, we present you the story of Louie, a very good boy from Central Otago in New Zealand.

[Via Facebook/Marolyn Diver]

The 12-year-old has been in the news a little lately after a delightful Facebook post from Marolyn Diver, whose parents own Louie.

“I'd just arrived… to visit my parents when I noticed Louie, the family's arthritic old farm-dog, limping up the driveway,” she said in October.

“He was sore, puffing, and collapsed near the doorway in total exhaustion.

“Concerned we rushed out to see if he was okay.

“That's when mum noticed that there was a piece of cardboard with a handwritten note in pencil attached to his collar.”

[Via Facebook/Marolyn Diver]

The note told the family that Louie was “the hero of the day”.

“He lead me to Maddy in distress, stuck under a branch pile.

“Cheers Rob.”

The post soon garnered global attention, appearing in NZ media before featuring on sites like The Dodo and, as recently as yesterday, Bored Panda.

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As we found out, Rob is Rob Kvickis - the family’s neighbour and Maddy is Kvick’s little doggie mate.

Kvick told Jo McKenzie-McClean at NZ’s Stuff Louie found him on the farm and said it was “very obvious” he wanted him to follow.

“He came to me huffing and puffing like a steam train.

“He led me to a brush pile – prunings from firewood trees and he started barking.

Underneath the pile was Maddy, who had become stuck.

And despite being old and stiff, Louie helped Kvick dig their little mate out.

Good boy, Louie.

[Via 20th Centruy Fox]