Animal Shelter Adoption Tails: Cocoa
When a beloved pet crosses the rainbow bridge, it is hard to decide when the right time is to bring in another furry family member. For Bonnie Peterson and her family, of Beaverton, it took only three days after losing their beloved lab mix of 14 years, Hershey.
“We decided we needed another fur baby to live only three days after saying goodbye to Hershey,” Peterson said. “We wanted to rescue another chocolate lab rather than pay for one from a breeder and wanted a little bit older dog to avoid some ‘puppy’ behaviors.”
They began and promptly ended their search at the Gladwin County Animal Shelter in 2007. They checked the shelter’s website and, as fate would have it, that very day a one year old female chocolate lab was posted. She had been found and after no one came forward to claim her, so a week later, Peterson and her family went to visit and took Cocoa home.
“When we first went to meet her, they took us all outside and she just rolled on her back in the grass and warm sunlight, belly up, and seemed to just go, ‘Ahhhh!’” Peterson said. “She was so sweet we knew she was for us. Cocoa was very loving, loyal, and listened well.”
With her being a year old at the time of adoption, Peterson said that she didn’t even need to be potty-trained and she fit right in.
“She seemed so happy to be a part of our family,” Peterson said. “She has the sweetest demeanor, makes us laugh and has added so much joy to our lives.”
From naps in bed, to on the family’s pontoon, Cocoa lived a good life and brought much happiness and smiles to her family.
“She loved her “boog” toys,” Peterson said, “one time fitting 5 in her mouth at once!”
Peterson and her family enjoyed 14 years of walks, cuddles, holiday dress-ups and pictures and camping with Cocoa before she passed away in 2021.
“We loved Cocoa another 14 year,” Peterson said. “We are grateful for the mission of the animal shelter and the animals they take care of and adopt. We let everyone know how easy and rewarding it is to find a new furry friend there!”
Cocoa’s family was blessed with another chocolate lab named Mocha before Cocoa’s passing, “Cocoa wasn’t a fan of Mocha,” Peterson said with a laugh. But the family still misses Cocoa every day.
Thanks to the shelter, Cocoa and her human family spent those 14 years together. Peterson said, “I would highly recommend adopting a pet from the Gladwin Animal Shelter (or any shelter). I think (the animals) can sense when they have been chosen to be a part of a family and give love and gratitude unconditionally. Giving an animal that has been abused or rejected by someone, or is a stray, a new chance to be in a loving family/household is the greatest gift we can give.”
The Gladwin County Animal Shelter began operation in 1976, and is dedicated to serving the needs of the animals and citizens of Gladwin County. In 2021, the shelter cared for a little over 970 animals (218 dogs & 756 cats), and continues to make every effort possible to ensure that all healthy, adoptable animals have safe and loving homes and the community practices responsible animal guardianship. Follow the Shelter on Facebook at facebook.com/GladwinAnimalShelter and find them online at https://gladwincountyanimalshelter.com/.
The shelter is always accepting donations, which can be dropped off at the shelter during office hours to their physical location at 919 S. River Road, Beaverton, MI 48612, or mailed to their mailing address of, 401 W. Cedar Ave., Gladwin, MI 48624. The shelter is also now able to accept monetary donations online at: Linda Haight Gladwin County Animal Shelter Endowment Fund #00838 – Midland Area Community Foundation (midlandfoundation.org).
You can also donate now by purchasing Gladwin County Animal Shelter Merchandise from Main Street Designs in Gladwin! You can purchase online by visiting the shelter’s website.
Donations of time are also appreciated, volunteers can call 989-426-4579 or email gladwincountyanimalshelter@gmail.com to find out ways they can assist at the shelter.