We all know that a shelter is not an ideal place for a dog. Sadly, many canines are forced to spend their lives between the four walls of a kennel because their only alternative is the street.
Cocoa’s Hard Journey
One unfortunate pup, Cocoa, had to spend most of her short life in various shelters across Florida. Making matters worse, many of these shelters perform euthanasia, meaning Cocoa was constantly at risk of facing the worst possible fate.
Relief came when she was accepted into Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR), a no-kill shelter in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Even there, she had to overcome many challenges before finding her happy ending.
Cocoa’s Initial Challenges
When three-year-old Cocoa, a Dalmatian-Pointer mix, arrived at APR in June 2022, she was warmly welcomed by the shelter staff. Despite this, Cocoa remained very timid, with a visible sorrow in her eyes.
From the first day, the shelter staff noticed she was different. Her appearance was somewhat unusual, and her reactions were strange. Soon, they discovered the reason for her behavior: Cocoa was deaf.
Discovering Cocoa’s Condition
Source: Abandoned Pet Rescue
“We discovered that Cocoa was deaf when she arrived,” said Kara Starzyk, the shelter manager at Abandoned Pet Rescue, in an interview with Newsweek.
They didn’t know much about Cocoa’s past, except that she had been through numerous shelters. Being deaf in an unknown place, surrounded by other animals, made her anxious and caused her to act strangely.
Determined to Help
Despite all these challenges, the dedicated staff at APR were determined not to give up on Cocoa. They wanted to ensure she had a brighter future.
Long Road Ahead
Source: ABANDONED PET RESCUE via Newsweek
The staff knew that Cocoa’s stay at the shelter would be lengthy. Potential adopters often overlooked her because she was deaf and lacked basic canine training.
Fortunately, APR was the perfect place for her. The staff had the patience and commitment needed to train her. Importantly, she no longer had to worry about being euthanized.
“APR is the only no-kill shelter in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For a special needs dog like Cocoa, having more time to find a loving home is crucial,” Starzyk explained.
Learning Sign Language
The shelter staff worked tirelessly to help Cocoa live a normal life. Teaching her sign language was essential since she was deaf. Although the process was challenging, their determination paid off.
Little by little, Cocoa overcame obstacles and became a brand-new dog. She started to come out of her shell, which was the greatest reward for the staff who cared for her.
“She enjoys going for walks and playing with stuffed toys,” Starzyk said. “She is very smart and quickly learned sign language commands for ‘sit,’ ‘paw,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘good girl.'”
Cocoa’s New Life
After learning sign language, Cocoa moved to a foster home to continue her development.
“Cocoa stayed in a temporary home for a month with APR volunteers Sandy and Richard Ellis, who trained her to walk better on a leash and taught her more sign commands,” Starzyk shared.
A Viral Sensation
During her time in the foster home, Cocoa’s life story spread across the Internet, opening many doors for her. It was only a matter of time before she found her happiest moment.
On April 3, 2024, nearly two years after arriving at the shelter, APR announced the joyous news on Facebook.
“Congratulations to Cocoa on finding her forever family!” they wrote.
A Forever Home
Sandy and Richard Ellis were the lucky ones to adopt Cocoa. Her sad life story touched their hearts, leaving them no choice but to give her the loving home she deserved.
Cocoa’s Inspirational Journey
Cocoa’s journey was challenging, but she succeeded and became an inspiration to many. Her story highlights the importance of patience, love, and determination in transforming the lives of shelter animals.
From a scared, timid pup to a happy, playful dog, Cocoa’s transformation is a testament to the incredible impact that dedicated shelter staff and compassionate adopters can have on the lives of animals in need.
