If you’re in need of a hug this Valentine’s Day, you better head to Chelsea in New York City, where you can meet Louboutina.

Louboutina is a New York celebrity. She’s in high demand. She’s popping up all over Instagram. Everyone wants to take a selfie with her. But Louboutina is not a reality star or wealthy socialite. She’s a golden retriever.

The adorable dog is so cute and loved that her Instagram page has over 58k followers! The beautiful golden retriever, named after a French shoe designer, spends at least two hours a day hugging people she encounters on the street. Friendly dog has become one of New York’s latest tourist attractions, thanks to her love of hugging strangers. Louboutina is fast becoming a social media star thanks to her affectionate nature, as passers-by have taken to posing for pictures when they spot her on the street.  There are scores of pictures of the pet pooch on her hind legs, with her front paws clasped around a man or woman’s thighs, that are posted by fans on Instagram. The images are all re-tweeted by her owner Cesar Fernandez-Chavez on Louboutina’s own page, which now has thousands of followers.

Fernandez-Chavez, 45-year-old, her owner said:” She was my birthday gift from my best friend Daphne. When I met Daphne I remember she was wearing Louboutins […], so when she told me she was giving me a puppy for my birthday I told her that I wanted a female pup and that I was going to name her ‘Louboutina’ after her shoes. A few years later, a week before Valentine’s Day, Louboutina developed a new trick. She stopped me and started ‘shaking’ and I was letting her give me her paw. Suddenly she put a lot of strength on the grip of my hand and sat up in a funny way and a few seconds after she crossed over her paws. At first I thought it was very weird but then I thought ‘wow, at least I have someone to hold hands with for Valentine’s’ .”

She added:” I never taught her any of these funny tricks. I would say she trained me to be patient, because she can hold hands or hug for a long time. Louboutina’s hugs aren’t just reserved for Cesar. She’s very affectionate, and now happily hugs everyone she meets. She loves everyone and likеs to lean on people. In big groups she will go one by one leaning on everyone. I call this ‘Louboutina’s rounds’. She likеs people a lot and enjoy being in large crowds, and of course she loves being photographed and is not shy with the camera.”

Her loving nature has led Louboutina to train as a dog bringing her love and joy to people who need it. She passed her training last year, and will soon start doing volunteer work, visiting ʜᴏsᴘɪᴛᴀʟs and sᴇɴɪᴏʀ centres. Cesar said :” I think since Im ɢᴀʏ I would love to visit ⓁⒼⒷⓉ sᴇɴɪᴏʀ people eventually and bring some joy to them”.