A small dog with a big following on Instagram is using his popularity to calm children's' nerves on their first day of school.

Greenwich native Rachel Scarano got Kody, a Shih Tzu-poodle mix, last summer and decided to make an Instagram account for him to keep track of all her pictures.

"When I moved out on my own, I needed a little companion," she says. "He's about 13 pounds."

Kody's big personality helped him soar in popularity. The petite pup is up to 55,700 followers.

"Kody has a mind of his own," Scarano says. "He's getting a lot of love from all over the world."

From Kody's expressions to his outfits, it's easy to understand his popularity.

"Just with Kody's infectious personality, he makes a lot of people smile," Scarano says.

She is introducing Kody to a new audience, writing a children's book called "Kody's First Day of School."

It aims to ease any jitters kids might have about school, something Scarano can personally relate to.

"The first day of school for me was always so nerve-wracking," she says. "In 'Kody's First Day of School,' he's experiencing those same emotions of being nervous."

Kody works through those feelings, and by the end of the book, can't wait to go back.

His owner agrees - she's is a literary specialist in the Bronx.

"Look at me now! I'm a teacher. I'm going to always be at school, and I love it," Scarano says.