At Bougie Dogwear, every product we create is inspired by the incredible dogs in our lives. Each one has a unique story, and today we’re sharing the heartwarming journey of Chewbacca—our beloved chocolate labradoodle. Chewie’s transformation from a neglected rescue dog to a cherished member of our family is a testament to the power of love, patience, and second chances.
A Running Partner Dilemma
The story begins with Mom’s passion for running. She already had Tilly, the family’s apricot standard poodle, as her trusted running buddy. But as it turns out, Tilly occasionally preferred to run with Dad instead. This sparked a playful debate between Mom and Dad.
“You need to get your own dog to run with,” Mom told Dad one day. Dad, however, wasn’t keen on the idea of adding a second dog to the household. “One dog is enough,” he insisted. But Mom wasn’t about to give up that easily. Determined to find the perfect companion for Dad, she began sending him links to dogs available for adoption. Every time, Dad found a reason to say no. That is, until Mom stumbled across a dog she knew he wouldn’t be able to resist—and it had everything to do with his love of Star Wars.
Love at First “Chewie”
When Mom came across a chocolate Labradoodle named Kipper (who had a striking resemblance to the famous Wookie), she knew she’d struck gold. She sent Dad the link, and just like that, his resistance crumbled. Once they adopted him, they renamed him Chewbacca, or Chewie for short—because how could any Star Wars fan NOT give him this name?
Chewie was in desperate need of a loving home. At just 2 and a half years old, he had already been through three homes and was now looking for his fourth—and hopefully final—family. Despite his rough start in life, this sweet boy still had a lot of love to give.
Chewie’s Early Days: A Rough Start
Chewbacca, or Chewie as we affectionately call him, was born in October 2016. A first-generation chocolate labradoodle, Chewie should have been enjoying life in a loving home. Instead, his early years were marked by instability. When we first saw Chewie, his eyes reflected the pain of abandonment, but also a glimmer of hope. He deserved better, and we were determined to become his fourth—and forever—home.
Thankfully, the rescue organization (Florida Poodle Rescue) was very adept at placing unwanted dogs into their forever homes. They employed a very seasoned and well respected dog trainer (Jesus had a background in training K9 units for State Police departments in New jersey and New York). Chewie spent several months under the expertise of Jesus and received full obedience training.
We were selected from a pool of applicants to be his family and the rescue organization required us to spend an entire weekend at their facility to work with Jesus and Chewie. We had to bring our entire family (2 teenage sons, Tilly, and our rescued kitty Finn) to make sure that Chewie would be a good fit for our family.
It was during this weekend stay that an unlikely bond would form between Chewie and Finn. While Tilly tolerates Chewie (because of his crazy high energy), Finn was absolutely in love with Chewie and the feelings were mutual because Chewie loves EVERYONE.
Chewie and Bougie Dogwear
Chewie’s story has become an integral part of Bougie Dogwear’s mission. Every time we design a new product—whether it’s a chic bandana, a stylish collar, or a bow tie—we think of dogs like Chewie. Dogs who deserve to feel as special on the outside as they are on the inside. Chewie is often one of our star models, showcasing our handmade accessories with his signature charm. Whether he’s rocking a holiday bandana or one of our classy bow ties, Chewie reminds us of the resilience and unconditional love that rescue dogs bring into our lives.
The Power of Rescue
Chewie’s journey from neglect to joy-filled days of tail wags and belly rubs is a story we hope inspires others to consider adoption. Rescue dogs come with challenges, but the rewards of watching them flourish far outweigh any difficulties. According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. shelters every year. By adopting, you’re not just giving a dog like Chewie a second chance—you’re gaining a loyal friend who will enrich your life in ways you never imagined.
Why Bougie Dogwear Celebrates Rescue Dogs At Bougie Dogwear, we believe every dog deserves to feel loved and celebrated. That’s why we craft accessories that bring out the unique personality of each pup, from playful patterns to sophisticated styles. Rescue dogs like Chewie inspire us daily to create products that aren’t just fashionable, but also a celebration of the bond between dogs and their humans.
Final Thoughts
Chewie’s story is one of hope, love, and the transformative power of rescue. Today, he’s living his best life—cuddled up with his siblings Tilly and Doc, modeling for Bougie Dogwear, and inspiring our mission to make every dog feel like a star.
If you’ve been thinking about adopting a dog or looking to pamper your pup with stylish, handmade accessories, Bougie Dogwear is here to help. Explore our collection of collars, bandanas, and more to celebrate the incredible bond you share with your furry friend.
Shop now: https://www.bougiedogwear.com
Have a rescue story to share? We’d love to hear it! Comment below and tell us about the special dogs in your life.
Author: Bougie Dogwear
At Bougie Dogwear, we’re passionate about creating stylish, handcrafted accessories that let your pup shine. Inspired by our three beloved dogs—Tilly, Chewie, and Doc—we share stories, tips, and dog fashion inspiration to celebrate the bond between pets and their people.