In Loving Memory of Chupa Kinzler
Chupa Kinzler, affectionately known by countless nicknames—Baby Dog, Sweets, Babes, Bubbers, Chupa-Lupa, Chupes, Turkey Butt, and Chupa-Chupa—was a soul whose life was defined by adventure, laughter, and love. His story began the day before Thanksgiving in 2013, when a nineteen-year-old college student, far from home, welcomed him into his life through the Kansas Humane Society. That fateful meeting marked the beginning of a journey that would carry them hundreds of miles cross-country and show them grand sites before bringing Chupa back to North Dakota, where he lived the rest of his years surrounded by family and immeasurable love.
Funny, curious, and endlessly sweet, Chupa had a way of making every day brighter. To say he was “legendary” is no exaggeration—he lived that role simply by being himself. His life was stitched together with countless unforgettable moments, from silly antics to tender displays of affection, each memory now treasured all the more deeply.
Chupa had quirks that made him one of a kind. He was wonderfully vocal, always with something to say—whether in playful howls to signal it was time to eat or in joyous dances and stomps around mealtimes. He was clever, always finding a way to communicate his desires: a walk, a toy from the closet, or a treat he knew you couldn’t resist giving. He was also the watchful sentinel of his neighborhood. From the back of the couch in his youth to an ottoman built just for him in later years, Chupa claimed his place at the big picture window, keeping dutiful watch over the world outside. Neighbors came to know the Kinzler home as “the house with the dog in the window,” a title Chupa wore with pride.
Play was another of Chupa’s joys. He destroyed toys with wild abandon, sniffed out bunny trails with determination, and delighted in unearthing snacks hidden away. Yet for all his lively energy, his truest gift was how he connected with those he loved. He nestled close on the couch, leaned against your legs to remind you he was there, and insisted on touch as a way to say, “I love you.” Though he adored his entire family, he had a special bond with his human uncle—his favorite companion, shadow, and playmate.
Chupa was comedy and comfort rolled into one. He made his family laugh every single day, grounding them with joy and tenderness. His name itself was a family story: when first introduced at Thanksgiving dinner, his uncle declared his big ears resembled a Chupacabra, and the name Chupa stayed forever.
Handsome, dynamic, and full of character, Chupa lived nearly 13 wonderful years. He leaves behind a family who misses him deeply, but who carry forward the adventurous, sweet, and spirited love he shared every day.
