Born different, loved fiercely: Why Chupey is melting hearts
In a world that often celebrates perfection, one little dog is reminding us that beauty comes in all forms — and that being ”different” can be downright magical.
Meet Chupey: a six-year-old rescue pup with sticking-up ears, wide-set eyes, short, sparse hair, and an unforgettable underbite that showcases his charming, popping-out teeth.
He may not look like your typical dog, but to his mom Kaley — and the hundreds of thousands who follow his every move on TikTok and Instagram — Chupey is perfect just the way he is.
“He was born that way,” said Kaley, who lives in Georgia, in an interview with Newsweek.
Chupey’s name was almost Ed when he was a puppy — named after the goofy, wide-eyed hyena from The Lion King. But as his personality began to shine through, it was clear he needed a name as unique and full of life as he is.
Chupey’s joyful personality and zest for life have won hearts far and wide, but his story begins with a touch of uncertainty and a whole lot of love.
”Chupey came to live with me because I was involved with dog rescue very heavily at the time,” Kaley shared. ”This particular couple had called me before for a litter of puppies, but had not yet let me help them spay the mother.”
”They messaged me that a puppy was born quite different than the rest, and seemed to not be growing the same way,” she recalled. ”I agreed to help only if they let me get the mother spayed, and thankfully they did.”
From the very beginning, there was something undeniably special about Chupey.
His look sparked questions and curiosity — even among scientists.
”We don’t know the exact cause. When we sequenced his DNA, we found out he had a partial trisomy on his six chromosome,” Kaley explained. ”However, the geneticists don’t believe this causes his appearance. More and more, I am starting to believe it is a congenital pituitary issue.”
The pituitary gland, though small, plays a mighty role in regulating everything from growth and metabolism to reproductive functions. If it doesn’t develop properly, it can result in unusual traits or medical challenges — just like Chupey’s.
”For the early years of his life, Chupey’s differences were mostly skin-deep,” Kaley said. ”We spent a lot of time at the vet when he was very young, trying to run blood work and urine tests to figure out what caused his appearance.”
Eventually, Chupey was diagnosed with diabetes insipidus, a condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate water. But with a carefully managed treatment plan and medication, he’s thriving.
”He does have to wear sweaters and pajamas in the winter and use quite a bit of sunscreen in the summer,” Kaley says. But beyond those little accommodations, his differences don’t slow him down one bit.
In fact, Chupey lives life with an enthusiasm that’s nothing short of contagious.
“All he wants to do all day is play fetch,” Kaley laughed. “He will play until he collapses. He has toys stowed around the house and in the backyard, and he knows where every single one of them is.”
And that same boundless energy, love, and pure joy has endeared him to animal lovers across the country. On social media, his videos are a bright spot in people’s days. Comments pour in with love and admiration:
“He’s beautiful and I love him,” one TikTok user wrote.
“What a precious cutie,” said another.
