King Charles Spaniel Chewy tells on Jackie and Marco Antonio

For the past few months I knew something was coming. Mom’s tummy was getting bigger, and I could hear that baby kicking and gurgling inside. Things were definitely going to change.

Now that baby Sebastian is out there, it is quite a bit of adjustment that we all have to make. I can no longer make spontaneous kisses because my mom and dad are so paranoid about clean hands, and while I still get my daily amount of hugs and cuddles, it’s still not as much as before, simply because most of the time mom is carrying the baby.

I’ve turned my attention to food, for the most part, and try to do my duties by guarding the baby, staying at the foot of his stroller or crib. Thank goodness Otto is there to play with and, well, remarkably he’s adjusted really well! It’s not easy for us firstborn fur babies to suddenly not be the center of attention, but thank goodness my parents have not let things change much, and made us feel like our family got larger and not that we were cast out! Plus, I’ve always been used to sharing attention with other dogs, so it’s not too difficult a change.

Meet Chewy, the adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel of Jackie and Marco Antonio, who was the only “child” for seven years until Devon came. Now, at two years old with another newborn sibling, Natalia, things are even more topsy-turvy for him. But it’s all about finding the right balance.

Owner of the chicest baby store in town, Chibi Momo, Jackie Antonio is one busy momma. Between keeping up with her two-year-old son Devon and just having given birth to her newborn daughter Natalia, she definitely has her hands full! “We are hitting some major milestones this week as we celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary and Marco’s 40th birthday,” Jackie shares. “Plus, he has exciting things in the pipeline at Century Properties.  It’s never a dull moment.”

Nine years ago, the couple decided to get a dog as a practice run before having children. “Neither one of us had a dog growing up and we both always wanted to share the experience of having a loyal little pal.  We like animals and have a particularly soft spot for dogs.

“We researched breeds and felt that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel best suited our personalities and lifestyle,” she continues.  â€œA royal British dog, we opted for the name Sir Chewbacca Royce, a.k.a. Chewy, as the title (Sir) is British, as well as the name Royce.  We threw Chewbacca in there to mix it up because our dog is the furthest thing from the big Chewbacca character in Star Wars.  

“It was difficult for us to track down Chewy’s breed locally, so when I went to the US, my cousin helped me narrow down the search to a few breeders in the San Francisco Bay Area.  I selected Chewy because he was the first dog from the litter to come up to me.  It was love at first sight!”

Name: Sir Chewbacca Royce Cohen Antonio (Chewy)

Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Age: Nine years old/63 dog years

KALOO: Describe yourself in three words.

CHEWY: Lovable, neurotic and energetic.

Describe your relationship with your humans. What do you guys like to do together? How do you get to spend time with each other? Are you closer to one human than the other?

I would like to think that I have a fantastic relationship with my humans, as I was the center of attention at home for many years until their two children had to go and ruin it for me.  I know their love for me was immense and I couldn’t stand being apart from them for very long.  We would go for walks on Bonifacio High Street, play games and watch television together.  We used to spend lots of time one-on-one — I would hang out with them wherever they were, but now that there’s a new baby around, I have been banished from their room and the nursery because they don’t want to risk me shedding my hair around the baby. Boo! I’m an attention seeker so I favor whoever engages with me more for the day and serves me delicious snacks.

Name one time you got into major trouble and how you got out of it.

I made major wee-wee on my parents’ silk area rug, which they then had to send to get professionally cleaned.  I was yelled at like bloody murder but I fluttered my puppy dog eyes and got out of that battle quickly.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Eat, pee, poop, take a bath, play, cuddle, sleep, repeat.

What are your fave hobbies?

I enjoy showing off my tricks for company because I love the attention and I also get rewarded with snacks.  I love long walks and even though I might complain about Devon, I secretly like it when he chases me.

Okay, let’s face facts: you used to be the baby boss of the house (for how long?), then Devon came along. How did that change your life? And what about now, with Natalia?

For seven years I reigned supreme but was dethroned with Devon’s arrival.  I had a nervous breakdown but had to keep it together for the family.  Luckily I had my Grandpa Richard, who made sure I was attended to all the time.  I think he really loves me and I was happy to have him around.

Now that Natalia is here I am having flashbacks of how my life turned upside down during the Devon years, but I’m better equipped this time around.  I’m still bigger than them, so Devon tries to ride me like a pony, which drives me bonkers.  Since Devon’s a messy eater I pick up his scraps so I guess that’s my payment for the abuse I endure from him.

How do you deal with all the craziness at home?

When things get nutty I like to take a breather and go for a walk with my pal Toro.  He’s an English Bulldog and we make an unlikely pair as best pups but he truly understands my angst and despair.

Your favorite place to hang in the afternoon?

When it’s brutally hot outside I like to hang out anywhere with the aircon blasting or lie down in the bathroom on the cold tiles.  If it’s cool and rainy, I enjoy snuggling up on my humans’ bed.

Your fave food? And if you could have anything in the world, even “forbidden” stuff, what would be your ultimate meal?

Steak, steak and steak!

I would kill to taste chocolate.  My mom loves and eats it all the time but tells me it’s poisonous for me.  Is she lying and just wants to keep it all to herself?

My ultimate meal would be comprised of country pâté as a starter, steak as a main and a cheese platter for dessert.  No carbs, please — I go straight for the kill.

Describe your dream vacation and where would it be.

I would love to go to New York City and traipse along the city streets on the Upper East Side to see some of my brethren. Window shopping, gobbling up a NYC hotdog or strip steak and smelling the NYC vibe is so up my alley!  Playing and running free in Central Park would cap off the day!

What would be your ultimate happy moment?

I live for my birthday when I get a huge rib eye steak, medium rare, all to myself.  That, followed by uninterrupted snuggling with my human parents (no kids allowed) would be ideal!  If my cataract could be corrected, I would be such a happy camper and that would put me over the moon!

Also, please share five secret things about your humans that only you would know.

1. At night they sleep late and watch trash TV after reading books to their kids (my frenemies) and putting them to sleep.

2. They travel often and never fail to bring me pasalubong, even if it’s only a short trip.

3. They are kind people, even behind closed doors.

4. They confide in me as they know I won’t spill their deepest secrets.

5. They secretly love me the most as I’m their furry firstborn.