When the Bodner family welcomed a tiny ball of fluff into their home this past Christmas, they didn’t realize just how much joy—and shredded dryer sheets—he’d bring to them. Now 11 months old, Waylon Bear Bodner, affectionately nicknamed “Chewy,” has become a beloved part of the family’s everyday life.

A Shih Tzu with a chill personality and a serious resemblance to Chewbacca, Waylon has quickly taken over the hearts (and laundry baskets) of everyone around him. He loves to shred dryer sheets, chase cicadas, and race around the yard for a good game of fetch. His easygoing nature makes him the perfect snuggle companion, and his family adores how fluffy, sweet, and laid-back he is.

But don’t let his relaxed vibe fool you—Waylon knows how to get attention. Whenever someone walks toward him, he flops onto his back with perfect comedic timing, expecting a belly rub (and usually getting it). He’s mastered the basics like “sit” and “come,” and everything else is, as his family puts it, “a work in progress.”

Waylon's arrival came after the heartbreaking loss of the Bodners’ beloved 15-year-old Shih Tzu, Zoe, in July 2023. “I honestly didn’t think I could get another dog because of how heartbroken we were,” Holly Bodner shared. But time—and maybe a little help from Zoe—brought Waylon into their lives at just the right moment. “It’s been said that when the family is ready, your beloved pet will send another. Waylon was absolutely sent by Zoe for us to love her… and to drive her 11-year-old dog-sister, Sammy, a little crazy.”

With his sweet nature, playful antics, and cosmic Chewbacca vibes, Waylon has already made himself at home—and made life a little brighter—for the entire Bodner crew.