After a nomadic life in various shelters across Florida, a dog has finally found her permanent home.
Cocoa, a 3-year-old Dalmatian-pointer mix, bid farewell to Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR), the sole no-kill animal shelter in Fort Lauderdale, after spending nearly two years under their care. It is undeniable that without the dedicated assistance and intervention of the shelter staff, Cocoa may not have had the opportunity to embark on the fulfilling and promising future she now embraces.
“Cocoa was brought to Abandoned Pet Rescue in June 2022 by a kind-hearted individual who rescued her from another shelter,” said Kara Starzyk, the shelter manager of Abandoned Pet Rescue, in an interview with Newsweek.
From the moment Cocoa walked through the door, the staff immediately noticed her distinctiveness. Her coat, adorned with faded spots, held one exception—a heart-shaped mark that remained dark black. However, Cocoa’s uniqueness extended beyond her appearance. Starzyk revealed, “Upon her arrival, we discovered that Cocoa was deaf.”
Cocoa’s time at her initial shelter remains a mystery, but her deafness and the presence of other animals in an unfamiliar environment at APR caused her immense stress. Initially, the young pup grappled with anxiety as she navigated her new surroundings.
Finding her a new forever family proved to be quite challenging. According to a study published in 2014 in Applied Animal Behavior Science, shelter visitors typically only interact with one dog per visit and these interactions typically last a mere eight minutes.
Cocoa, a dog with special needs, had a limited amount of time to make a lasting impression. However, she was fortunate to find herself at the perfect location to help her achieve just that. According to Starzyk, “APR is the only no-kill shelter in Fort Lauderdale, which means that for dogs like Cocoa, it is crucial to have more time available to find a dedicated and loving forever home.”
APR’s dedicated pet trainer, in collaboration with Cocoa’s medical fosters, worked tirelessly to ensure that she received the loving home she deserved. They employed sign language to communicate with Cocoa and helped her adjust to a normal, fulfilling life, just like any other healthy dog. Their efforts paid off, and Cocoa thrived under their guidance.
Over time, Cocoa blossomed into a sociable dog who, as Starzyk puts it, “absolutely adores showering everyone with kisses.”
According to Starzyk, the dog takes pleasure in going for walks and engaging in playtime with stuffed toys. Additionally, she is highly intelligent and showcased her quick learning abilities by grasping sign language commands such as “sit,” “paw,” “stay,” and “good girl.”
Cocoa’s progress at the shelter and with her foster carers quickly caught the attention of potential adopters. According to Starzyk, Cocoa had been staying with APR’s volunteers Sandy and Richard Ellis for a month, during which they worked on improving her leash-walking skills and teaching her additional sign commands.
Jamie and Randy Starr were immediately captivated by Cocoa’s story. Her sweet eyes tugged at their heartstrings, and they knew they could provide her with the loving home she deserved. They eagerly arranged to meet Cocoa, learning that she had spent nearly two years at the shelter.
The Starrs have exciting plans for Cocoa. Starzyk shares, “Cocoa will accompany her new dad to a nearby church, where she can impress everyone with her sign-language abilities.”
The happy ending of Cocoa’s journey has brought joy to everyone who played a part in helping her regain her zest for life. Although Starzyk is thrilled to witness Cocoa’s progress, she wants to emphasize that there are numerous other dogs like her who still require assistance and affection.
“We hope that Cocoa’s story will serve as an inspiration for others to adopt a pet and to consider pets with special needs. These animals are often overlooked in shelters, but they have just as much love to give,” Starzyk expressed. “Throughout Cocoa’s time at APR, numerous dedicated volunteers provided her with enrichment. They also actively promoted her through various social media platforms and adoption events. If adoption is not feasible for you at the moment, please consider becoming a volunteer at a local shelter. It truly takes a community effort to find a forever home for even one pet!”
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