It’s widely recognized that shelters aren’t the ideal homes for dogs. Sadly, numerous dogs find themselves confined to the limited space of a kennel, their only alternative being the dangers of the streets.
One unfortunate pup faced such a fate, spending the majority of her brief existence in shelters throughout Florida. To compound her misfortune, many of these shelters practiced euthanasia, leaving her constantly teetering on the edge of despair.
It was a tremendous relief when she was accepted into Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR), a non-euthanasia shelter based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Nevertheless, even in this haven, she had to surmount numerous hurdles before reaching her joyful conclusion.
A Heartbreaking Journey
When three-year-old Cocoa, a Dalmatian-Pointer mix, arrived at APR in June 2022, the shelter staff embraced her warmheartedly. Unfortunately, despite the kind reception, Cocoa remained exceedingly shy, her eyes clouded with sadness.
From her very first day at the shelter, the staff noticed that she was unique – her demeanor was peculiar, and her behavior was unusual. Before long, they learned the poignant story behind her circumstances.
“Upon her arrival, it became apparent that Cocoa was deaf,” stated Kara Starzyk, the shelter manager at Abandoned Pet Rescue, in an interview with Newsweek.
Few details were known about her past, aside from her multiple stays in various shelters. However, her deafness and her surroundings filled with numerous other animals contributed significantly to her anxiety and peculiar behavior.
Yet, despite all the challenges, the compassionate staff refused to give up on Cocoa and were resolute in their determination to secure her a brighter future.
A Testament to Perseverance
The staff anticipated that Cocoa’s stay at the shelter could be lengthy, as many adopters overlooked her due to her deafness and lack of basic training. Fortunately, she had finally found a place filled with individuals willing to invest time in her training. Importantly, she no longer had to fret about being on the euthanasia list, thanks to the shelter’s policy.
“APR is the only [non-euthanasia] shelter in Fort Lauderdale, [Florida], making it essential for a special needs dog like Cocoa to have more time to secure a loving home,” Starzyk elaborated.
With everyone motivated to assist her, the shelter team took significant steps to facilitate her eventual normalcy. Their primary focus was teaching her sign language, a challenging but essential task that they approached with unwavering resolve.
Gradually, this clever girl conquered every hurdle and transformed into a new canine. Cocoa emerged from her shell, which was the most significant reward for those who cared for her.
“She loves going on walks and playing with stuffed toys,” Starzyk remarked. “Cocoa is very intelligent and quickly picked up sign language; she understands commands like ‘sit, paw, stay, and good girl.’”
Cocoa’s life finally became a joyous experience, but her best moments were yet to unfold.
A Joyful Conclusion
After mastering sign language, Cocoa transitioned to a foster home, continuing her journey of growth and development.
“Cocoa spent a month in a temporary home with APR volunteers Sandy and Richard Ellis, who are working on enhancing her leash manners and teaching her additional sign commands,” Starzyk noted.
During her time with the volunteers, her touching story gained attention online, leading to numerous opportunities for her future. It was just a matter of time before her dreams began to come true.
On April 3, 2024, nearly two years after her arrival at the shelter, APR shared the joyous news on their Facebook post.
“Congratulations to Cocoa for finding her forever family!” they declared.
Sandy and Richard Ellis were the fortunate individuals who had the privilege of adopting this remarkable dog. Her poignant story tugged at their heartstrings, compelling them to offer her the love and care she so rightly deserved.
Cocoa’s journey to this moment was fraught with challenges, but she persevered, serving as an inspiration to many.
