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My name is Cocoa Puff's Story!

Posted over 11 months ago

My basic info

Breed
Hovawart
Color
Black - with Tan, Yellow or Fawn
Age
4 years 11 months old, Adult
Size
Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) (when grown)
Weight
65 lbs (current)
Sex
Female
Pet ID

My details

Checkmark in teal circle Good with dogs
Checkmark in teal circle Shots current
Checkmark in teal circle Spayed / Neutered
Checkmark in teal circle Housetrained

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

-Written by Cocoa Puff, a 4-year-old, 65lb female Hovawart mix.
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What do you do when your whole world comes crashing down? I used to have a home. I used to have a family. I used to have a wonderful life. I was very much loved and well taken care of. I thought I had found the people I would stay with for the rest of my life. They were my world, and I had been with them since I was a puppy. I didn't really go out or meet anyone new. I didn't need to. I had my people. It was us against the world.

When my family loaded me into the car one day, I was ready. We hardly ever went out, but I never suspected things would play out as they did. I figure it was a quick errand run we were going on. I still didn't worry when we pulled up to this strange building. They were dogs barking like crazy, they were all hoping that someone would bail them out. Bail them out of what though? I was very confused and started getting a bit anxious. I kept looking at my owners. We started walking toward the building and a few times, I tried stopping and turning around. My owners kept encouraging me to move forward though, and I trusted them. So, I kept going. I walked right into that building...still no having no idea of just how much my life was about to change.

My owners went up to the front desk and started filling out paperwork. I stayed very close to them. This place was strange to me, and a bit scary. I still hadn't figured out why all the dogs were going crazy yet. Then, something happened. The person behind the counter came around and started walking our way. I immediately got nervous and tried to leave. Something started to feel very wrong and I urged my owner to leave. We needed to go, and fast. Sadly, my owner ended up doing something I will never forget...they handed my leash over. They handed my leash over, gave me one last pat on the head...and left. I panicked. My whole world just walked away and they did it without me. I tried to go after them, I didn't want to go into the back where the person was trying to take me. It didn't matter though...and suddenly everything clicked for me. I was in doggie jail. The place where homeless pets end up. The ones that people didn't want anymore or care for.

Once I was behind bars, the person that brought me back to the kennels said something to me. They told me that my owners had to give me up because they couldn't handle me anymore. They were older, and I was just too much for them. My heart broke. I have to believe that this was their last option. That there was really no way for them to keep me. It still hurts like hell, but it makes it just a bit less painful that way. I completely shut down though. For weeks, I was a timid mess. I didn't want pets. I didn't want any kind of human interaction. I sat in the corner of my kennel and was absolutely PETRIFIED. I didn't want to play. I didn't want to get attention. I didn't want to eat. I didn't want a new family. I just wanted the pain to go away.

I spent weeks at the shelter. They tried finding a place for me, but being a mostly black and shy dog...no one was stepping up. I ended up on the urgent list, and if someone didn't step up for me...I would never leave the shelter. Never have a warm bed again. Never have a loving family. Never be in a home again. I decided then that I wanted to live. I started opening up more and trying to be more interactive. The shelter tried getting my photo out there again, and this time someone stepped up. A foster with PPFT stepped up for me, and just like that I got my second chance.

I am almost 4 years old and have been on the biggest adventure of my life since being surrendered to the shelter. At first, I was excited to meet my foster mom and even hopped right into the car. I tried getting pets and love the whole car trip back. My foster mom ended up bringing me into the yard and letting me explore...and just like that...I had a panic attack. I didn't want my foster mom to pet me or do anything with me. I hid in the bushes and didn't want to come out. What in the world was I doing? I couldn't do this. I couldn't be this outgoing, go-with-the-flow girl. I wanted my old life back! After lots of coaxing and patience, my foster family was finally able to get me into the house, and then things changed again. Suddenly, things were not so scary. I remember this. I remember being in a house. I remembered getting to be part of the family. I decided that my foster mom was actually really cool, and she is now one of my favorite people!

All my house manners came back to me. I remembered the rules of the house and know not to potty in the house. I also know that being kenneled is sometimes necessary. However, I do really well when my foster lets me stay in a spare bedroom when she is away. I have not chewed on anything that I shouldn't in my foster home. I hope my new family will make things easy for me though and not have a lot of things lying around when I first get to them. Just until we know I can be trusted not to get into things at their house as well. I have not really been a big barker in my foster home, which I know may be appealing to some.

One of my favorite things from my past life was walks. I love walks! I get so excited, that I may wrap the leash around you as I try to investigate all the good smells! Other than that, I am good on a leash and don't pull very much. I really don't remember leaving the house much in my past life. I am definitely a shy dog when it comes to new situations or meeting new people. However, once I feel comfortable with MY people I LOVE spending time with them. As long as I have my people with me, I think I would be okay going places with them. I also think in time I would like hikes...but hopefully, they will be shorter since I am a fluffier dog. I am very shy around strangers. I will bark and back away from strangers. Once I feel safe with the new person, I am very lovey-dovey and will try to get lots of pets and cuddles! My new family will need to be patient with me though initially. I am shy around unknown dogs. I may give warning growls/ bark. Once I feel safe with the dog, I will lightly play with them sometimes. I do think that I am more of a homebody but I love walks. My new family will want to expose me to new experiences so I can learn the world isn't so scary! However, I don't think I will ever be someone who loves always going places and being away from home. I rather enjoy lots of downtime and a good routine.

I am good with other dogs, and will sometimes play with them and other times be indifferent to them. I have not been around cats or kids, so I am unsure how I would do with them. Given that I am on the more shy side initially, I don't think really young kids and I would be a good fit for one another. I am not interesred in playing fetch. I will pick up toys or chase after a ball. I think that I may get more playful as I feel more comfortable and settled into my routine. I do seem to like water and did really well during bathtime. Overall, I am on the calmer side. I am quite shy when meeting new people. Once I feel safe around you, I will be your BEST friend! I get so excited when my foster mom comes home from work. I love to follow her around and get pets and loves. I am going to be an amazing dog for the lucky family who adopts me.

That is all I have to share about myself. I really hope that we are a match. In case you are interested in me, the app to adopt me can be found at https://www.emailmeform.com/.../hx000BP7nbQvjHX49Uur80FV3

Please I am begging you though, only apply to adopt me if you can keep me forever. If you can't keep me through ALL of life's changes, don't be the one that makes me have to be passed around a few months/years down the line. That just isn't fair to me.

I would NEVER give up on you, so please don't give up on me. I want to be your forever...not your until dog.
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Application to adopt Cocoa Puff
https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/hx000BP7nbQvjHX49Uur80FV3

Location: Tulsa, OK
-Adopters must be able to pick up their new dog, with no exceptions.

Adoption Fee: $250 Includes: Two rounds of the DHLPP, Rabies, Bordetella, Fecal, Deworming, Heartworm Test, Micro-Chip, Spay, and she will be current heartworm and flea/tick prevention.

FROM HER FOSTER MOM 🐾 ↓

~Cocoa Puffs is a 2 year old, 65 pound possible Hovawart? She is beautiful! She has long fluffy black fur with brown eye brows, a brown muzzle and beard, and matching brown socks. She will climb into the bathtub all by herself and enjoys being bathed, particularly the towel drying! We do not know what her past life was like prior to PPFT. We do know she is shy when meeting strangers. Don't let that throw you- she is a huge lovebug! Once she realizes the new person isn't scary/ going to hurt her, she is ALL sugar and smiles! She is one of the most affectionate dogs we've fostered. She will fiercely love the family who adopts her. We think she'll especially enjoy snuggling on the couch and on the bed. She is SO sweet and will be a treasured family member in her new home!

Cocoa Puffs' ideal home would have a family on the calmer side who is home most of the day. She LOVES spending time with her foster family. She is a total cuddlebug. She likes to sit in my lap, or rest her head on my lap, so she can get more hugs/ pets/ attention. She is such a sweetheart!~

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