Local Author’s New Chuckie Book Continues Legacy of Her Beloved Chocolate Lab

Jillian Risberg

Local author Amy Jensen’s love for her chocolate lab Chuckie spills over into her fourth book, Chuckie Becomes A Big Brother, featuring Bernie the black lab, who she rescued from Cold Nose Warm Heart in Succasunna.

“I had been begging my husband forever to get another dog because Chucky was very social and I felt like he wanted a friend, and my husband was reluctant,” says Jensen. “When Chucky was 13 we got Bernie (from Alabama) and that’s the focus of this book.”

And readers can include a photo of their pet for ‘Friends of Chuckie,’ in the Pawsome Pages on the back of every book, with 20 percent of proceeds ($850 already raised) benefiting Cold Nose Warm Heart.

Jensen lost Chuckie at age 14 in April and decided to write this book after his passing. Her passion for animal rescue runs deep.

“I think it’s changed our lives for the better, especially since Chuckie’s passed now we have Bernie and Norvin and Jovi; so much love in my heart for them. We got Norvin a month before Chuckie passed and they bonded. If Chucky could whisper in his ear — he does so many Chuckie kinds of things.”

The author hopes her new book gives rescue dogs a chance. Jensen says people tend to shy away because they think they’re going to have problems, but she’s only had wonderful experiences and these dogs deserve a second chance.

According to Jensen, you don’t have to read her books in order, they are stand-alone. Chuckie references his sister’s passing in Chuckie Says Goodbye — but she is no longer a character in the new book.

Chuckie had such a transformative impact on the author’s life.

“He taught me to live in the moment, appreciate everything and speak up for yourself,” Jensen says. “He definitely let me know if there was something he needed.”

Internet sensation Chuckie has 11,000+ followers on Instagram, 4,500 Facebook fans, and 2,800 global TikTok followers.

With all his fame, Jensen says she would also love if Chuckie becomes a cartoon someday. And she wants to connect with school kids to tell them about the process of being an author.