Amy Savino never expected her Newfoundland, Chewy, to become such an integral part of her family. From rescuing her children in the water to helping her 96-year-old grandmother garden, Chewy is a gentle giant with a heart of gold.
From Puppy to Protector
Amy got Chewy, short for Chewbacca, when he was eight weeks old. They drove five hours from North Carolina to Georgia to pick him up. 'It was love at first sight,' she says. Chewy grew rapidly, from 10 pounds to 100 pounds in his first 10 months. Now four years old, he has calmed down but still looks like a big, fluffy bear.
A Dog for Every Occasion
Chewy adapts his personality to whoever he is with. With Amy's grandmother, Barbara, he is soft and gentle. With Amy, he is needy. With her children, especially her 15-year-old daughter, he is hyper and loves to play. 'He is like my fourth child,' Amy says.
Natural Water Rescuer
Newfoundlands are bred for water rescue, and Chewy instinctively saves his family. At the beach, if anyone falls in the water, Chewy will swim over and bring them to shore. 'He will not let my kids swim. He just wants to save them,' Amy explains. This behavior is innate, never taught.
Gardening Companion
Chewy also helps with gardening. He can dig on command, and Barbara, Amy's grandmother, uses him to dig holes for planting. Amy filmed this and posted it online, where it went viral. Chewy and Barbara see each other daily, as they live next door. Amy believes Chewy contributes to Barbara's longevity by giving her purpose and companionship.
Chewy is full of compassion and love. Amy never imagined she could love a dog so much. He is truly a member of the family.
