Chewy Lewis, a now nearly ten year old Finnish Spitz mix.
We rescued Chewy Lewis from a county shelter just before his time was up. We had gone up to look at a JRT mix female as a playmate for Jackyl, our 9 month old JRT. But she didn’t take to us, and their was another family there looking at her. A volunteer pointed us in Chewy’s direction, and I think my son fell instantly in love. He was a terrified little boy, only 6 months old at the time. He had been picked up as a stray, pretty beat up, and mostly likely abused. We couldn’t just leave him there to be put down. So he came home with us that day.
He and Jackyl got along almost instantly. And he did his job, which was keeping Jackyl entertained, very well. No more throwing a tennis ball all day while I tried to work at my desk. But he was still a rather terrified dog. He hated men with a passion. It took him almost 2 years to let Man of the House pet him or leash him, without peeing on himself. But he finally came around.
Chewy has become a very confident dog over the years. He likes to boss the other dogs, and foster dogs around when he has the chance. But he allows little Meaty, a min pin/chihuahua mix, who’s less than half of his size, to boss him around.
Chewy Lewis, the Finnish Spitz mix: 6 months to 9.9 years.
Chewy Lewis, a 6 month old Finnish Sptiz on his first day home from the shelter.
He was quite nervous, having been rescued from a county kill shelter just days before his time was up.
But he and Jackyl, our 9 month old JRT, quickly became friends.
And then Woobie, a 9 wk old Pomeranian, joined the pair. Lewy didn’t like him at first, but he warmed up to him after a few days.
At first Chewy only liked brother, who was 12 at the time. But he eventually made up with 6 yr old Sister too.
He and Jackyl kept each other entertained.
But he never missed a chance to hang out with his boy. They were nearly inseparable.
He looked like a little red fox, with a white chest and white feet.
Despite his rough background, Chewy learned fast. He became the top dog.
Although he hated men with a passion. He “guarded” the property fiercely against any strange men.
Chewy, Finnish Spitz mix, 1 yr old.
They tired each other out, and are ready for a nap.
2 yrs old. Chewy, Finnish Spitz mix
Those ears…
Chewy’s regal pose.
He loved to chew, and guarded his chew toys as fiercely as he guarded the house.
Chewy, Finnish Spitz mix
And usually likes to sleep curled up in a little ball.
Chewy and Jackyl, watching over their domain. And probably wishing for grass. The place was a construction site for a while.
Chewy Lewis, 3 yrs old.
Finally their wish for grass came true, and they finally had a yard to play in, instead of a mud pit.
But so much playing wears him out quickly. He doesn’t have the stamina of his older brother Jackyl.
Occasionally we all just need to hide from the world.
Or chill out and chew on something.
4 yrs old already. They grow up so fast.
But can still melt your heart with those puppy dog eyes.
Before it’s time to run some more.
Chewy is a very sweet boy, who likes to try and keep his brothers in line.
And nap, a lot!
He always made time to play with Sister. Especially if she had food. Even dog food.
And to take a nap with Jackyl. They like to lay as close to the heat vents as possible in the colder months.
And he loved to steal Mama’s chair. He still does it every chance he gets.
5 yrs old. Chewy, Finnish Spitz mix
The napping champion.
He liked to go out exploring too.
But it’s always nap time afterwards.
Or just chilling out somewhere in the house.
Chilling with his brothers on Sister’s bed.
When little brother Rico, joined the pack, the three bigger boys wouldn’t play with him.
Then Ozzy joined the pack just a few months later.
They learned to get along pretty well. And Jackyl, Chewy
Chilling with his brothers, Jackyl, Rico, and Ozzy.
6 yrs old. Chewy, Finnish Spitz mix
Another new sibling, or first foster failure, Pantera. Easy way to occupy the dogs: Empty peanut butter jars.
Chewy loved to let us know when the food/water bowls went empty. They we switched them to a twice a day feeding schedule. Chewy was not happy about it.
Feeding time. Chewy, Ozzy and Jackyl. Woobie hiding in the back.
Our first litter of foster puppies became an obsession with Chewy. He spent almost all of his time sitting at the playpen watching them.
He had to be right where they were as much as possible.
Time for some rubbings. He loves to have his chest rubbed. 7 yrs old now.
He’s no longer as red as he was when he was little. He’s turned more of a brown now.
I left an almost empty clothes basket sitting for a few minutes one day. When I came back for it, Chewy had made it into a bed for himself.
Hiding in the tall grass. He was stalking Jackyl when I interrupted him to take a picture.
Chewy’s first trip to the river. He hates water in a bathtub, and was even more terrified of the river.
But he enjoyed the part of the trip that wasn’t right near the water.
Chewy, Finnish Spitz mix, 8 years old already. Boy the years just fly by anymore.
Some morning cuddles with Sister, and Meaty.
He spends more time resting now, than playing. But he’s not showing his age much for an almost 9 yr old boy.
9 years old. Still the top dog, at least in his mind. Although he allows Meaty to boss him around some.
Chewy Lewis, our biggest boy. Sometimes I think he lays and dreams about when Brother was his boy and still lived at home.
Nearly 10 now, less than a month before his tenth birthday.
Fed up with the Golden puppies that had been living with us until recently. He was happy to see the last two of the leave.
Chewy Lewis – the later years
He really has become a wonderful dog. Chewy listens well, and rarely has to be corrected. He still likes to guard the house from strange men. Which isn’t a bad thing, since it’s just Sister and I here most of the time. But his bark is much worse than his bite. As he’s never bit anyone.
He still gets obsessed with every litter of foster puppies that come through here. One of his favorite activities is soaking up the sun on the back porch, or the back of the couch.
We’ll be celebrating his tenth birthday on April 28, 2017. And his tenth “Gotcha Day”, this fall around Halloween. It’s hard to believe he’s been with us for almost 10 years now. But he’s still in great health, considering he was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 2014.
We’re hoping to have many more years with our Chewy Lewis.
