Quadruple amputee golden retriever is chosen as 'Hero Dog' of 2018

PHOENIX, Ariz. — American Humane has named a 4-year-old quadruple amputee golden retriever from Arizona as its 2018 American Hero Dog.

Chi Chi lives a life of service as a therapy dog, inspiring people all over, but especially connecting with a special group of people who have something in common with her: amputees. The 4-year-old golden retriever is also a quadruple amputee.

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She was abused, thrown in a trash bag with her legs bound and left for dead in South Korea. Chi Chi was rescued and made a miraculous recovery, even beating cancer.

Chi Chi is now a ball of joy, living with her adoptive family in Phoenix, moving around on four prosthetic legs and inspiring people with her perseverance.

Chi Chi bested nearly 300 other brave dogs for the 2018 American Hero Dog title. More than a million people voted for the hero dog. Nominees and a panel of celebrity judges helped pick Chi Chi as the bravest of them all.

The 2018 American Humane Hero Dog awards will be broadcast nationally on the Hallmark Channel on Oct. 24 at 8 p.m.

There is so much more to discuss – the scenes stolen by Cooper’s adorable real-life dog, Charlie (named for his late father); how one directs Lady Gaga in music scenes (“The way I saw all the music stuff, they were acting scenes,” Cooper said, while heaping praise on the musician, whom he refers to by her real first name, Stefani); how he flew to Ohio twice to convince Dave Chappelle to take a small, but pivotal role in the film.

But Cooper needs to hustle across Midtown to record a segment for Turner Classic Movies and then hop a flight back to Philadelphia for another screening that evening.

As he heads out of the room, though, he's still thinking about one thing as he grins and points. "Gio's!"