Foster mummy & me: last photo together

Hola! I’m Coco a happy coonhound that lives in Canada with my forever family.

I want to share the adventure I had after I got adopted and traveled from La Paz, BCS, Mexico to my forever home in Canada.

Por supuesto, I didn’t know I was going on an adventure, and I am still not sure I would call it that. Pero, that is a word I think you will understand. Without spoiling the story, I will start by saying it was amazing, frightening, and everything in between!

The day started like most other days except for one pretty big surprise, NO Breakfast. That told me that something was up. My foster mom never forgot my breakfast.

Luego, instead going to my favorite doggie daycare to play with my friends, I was put in a crate – not my normal crate that I sleep in. This was different and I couldn’t see out except for the front. That made me feel trapped.

We got into a vehicle with people I didn’t know and that made me nervous. I was scared so I started calling out for my foster mom. The people tried to get me to calm down, but I couldn’t. I wanted my mom to come get me.

We drove for what seemed like forever and we arrived at a very busy, noisy place. There were people everywhere and I didn’t know any of them. I couldn’t see my mom and I was not happy. I cried a little, then barked as loud as I could so she would hear me. I pawed at the front of my crate and tried to open the door. The only thing that did was make my crate tip over. Hombre, that was no fun! My stomach was in knots.

Then someone put my crate on a strange platform. I felt myself moving, but it wasn’t like being in a car. Oye! Where did everyone go? What kind of place is this? I was getting more confused, and my heart was pounding.

There were men and machinery everywhere and then I was outside on some kind of cart. There were all these huge birds, or at least that is what they looked like. I got on another one of those moving platforms and I went up, up and into one of those birds. The men took me off the moving platform and into another room where there were other crates like mine. Some other dogs and me – going somewhere else – but where? I was hungry but I didn’t think I could eat anything. I was too scared.

After a while, the door closed, and it got very dark. I could feel this big thing moving and then it gradually started to go faster and faster – I was pulled against one side of my crate as the forward motion threw me back. Soon the sensation of moving stopped and there was just a gentle vibration that put me to sleep. I dreamt of being with my mom and playing with my doggy friends again.

I woke up to a cacophony of loud noises that rattled my senses. My stomach churned with nausea, and all I wanted was to be home. I wanted to hear my foster mom’s voice, have her stroke my head. Then it was like we hit bottom – and I was thrown against the other side of my crate as we suddenly slowed and finally stopped. Whew! I couldn’t wait to get out of this crazy crate. The doors opened and a rush of cold air hit my face and my whole body felt a chill. Where was I? Everything smelled different – I realized, I wasn’t home!

I ended up inside another very busy place except the sounds, smells, and people were all different – I had never seen anything like this. I kept wondering “Who are these people and where is my mom?”

A nice woman took me out of my crate and she put a leash on me so I would not run away. I sure wanted to get out of there and run home but with this leash, I couldn’t. She was nice enough and she gave me some water – boy was I thirsty – and some treats – I was so hungry I wanted more of those!

We walked outside where I finally got to pee!! Oops, I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to do that right there! But I didn’t see any sand like where I normally pee, and I couldn’t hold it any longer. The nice lady put me in her vehicle and we were off, to where I still didn’t know.

Maybe she was driving me home so I could kiss foster mom again. But instead of seeing sand like at home, the ground was covered with green, wet stuff that tickled my toes. I knew I wasn’t anywhere near home.

We went indoors where it was warm again, like home. These new people in the home seemed very nice and gentle. They kept saying my name – so I figured they knew me. I decided I should get to know them. Then – they gave me a bowl of food – boy was I famished! They were stroking me and making me feel very special. They took me to a crate – like the one I have at home with a bed inside and some toys. I was finally warm and so tired that I went in and fell asleep.

As each day passed, I felt more and more like this was my home . . . that this was where I was always meant to be. These people gave me love and I started to love them too. Did I mention all the toys and big stick to chew on!!

I realized I could not imagine living anywhere else. I really don’t think about my home in La Paz very much anymore. Not that I wouldn’t love to see it or some of my friends and foster mom –but I know now that this is where I belong, and I am so happy.

I love my new family!

When I do think of La Paz, I hope all my doggy mates get a furever home as amazing as mine. It was a very difficult journey but in the end I would do it all over again if I ended up here.

If you are a hooman reading my story, I hope you will consider adopting a dog from La Paz – there are so many like me. We will love you like you have never been loved if you just give us a chance.

I’m glad foster mom took me off the street and cared for me – and I love her even more for sending me to the best place I could ever imagine. She knew this was where I belonged, and she loved me enough to say goodbye on that very difficult day.

Soy Coco y soy el perro más afortunado del mundo.!