Pudgy Woke, The Beloved “Owa Owa” Chihuahua, Has Died

Pudgy Woke, affectionately called “Pudgy” or the “Owa Owa dog,” was a long‑haired Chihuahua who captured hearts across TikTok with his quirky, fax‑machine‑like bark and expressive personality . His trademark “owa owa” sound became a viral catchphrase, earning him a dedicated following of over 12 million fans.

Origin story

Pudgy was rescued from a rough situation. He initially showed odd noises after a presumed accident, possibly being hit by a car, which gave him his distinct growly bark.

Rise to stardom

His owner, TikTok creator Malachy James, started posting Pudgy content in December 2020. A video reacting to macaroni and cheese went viral, featuring Pudgy’s unique vocal response. Soon, fans everywhere were requesting, “Can I get an owa owa?”.

At his peak, Pudgy had 12.4 million TikTok followers, 446,000 on Instagram, and a presence on Twitter.

How did Pudgywoke die?

On July 16, 2021, Malachy James posted a YouTube video titled “What Really Happened to Pudgywoke”, confirming the heartbreaking news.

While meeting another dog on a walk, Pudgy was attacked by the other dog, suffering bites to his back and ribs.

Pudgy was rushed to the vet. The hospital recommended emergency surgery costing $12,000–$15,000, but cautioned the chances of survival were slim.

Faced with low odds even after surgery, Malachy and his family made the humane decision to euthanize Pudgy to prevent further suffering.