Hi, I’m CocoBear! I’m a big, beautiful two-year-old girl with a classic bulldog face, a gorgeous white-and-brindle coat, and a heart that is just as big as I am. I’m goofy, affectionate, playful, and – when I’m ready to settle down – a total couch potato. I also have a pretty impressive overbite, which my foster mom says might be what I’m remembered for in the history books. Personally, I think it just makes my smile extra special. 😍
I’ve had a pretty complicated start to life, so let me tell you a little about my story.
I was originally given to someone as a birthday present when I was just a puppy. Unfortunately, it quickly became clear that I wasn’t wanted there. When I was only five months old, I was surrendered after not getting the care and guidance a puppy needs. I arrived in rescue skinny, underweight, and pretty overwhelmed by everything around me. My foster family took their time with me, helped me decompress, and showed me what it felt like to be safe.
And you know what? I bounced back!
I learned to trust my foster family, including their 10-year-old son, and I lived happily in a home with several other dogs. I discovered that being outside was pretty fantastic, too. Having a fenced yard where I can sniff, explore, stretch my legs, and just enjoy being a dog is one of my favorite things.
I was adopted into another family, but unfortunately that placement didn’t work out. Later, I was rehomed without my rescue knowing where I had gone. For eleven months, nobody knew where I was. Then, on June 3, 2026, my microchip finally led my rescue family to me at a humane society. I was withdrawn when they found me, but the moment I saw the people I knew and trusted, I was friendly. They took me home that day, and I’ve been safe with them ever since.
After everything I’ve been through, my foster family says the thing that amazes them most is that I still trust people. I’m still trying. I’m still loving. I’m still looking for my place in this world. ❤️
These days, I’m a fun combination of puppy energy and couch potato. I love to play, and I’m an equal-opportunity toy lover – pretty much anything can become a good toy in my opinion! I especially enjoy being outside, and when I’m finished with my adventures, I’m perfectly happy to stretch out and relax.
I’m also a MAJOR cuddler. In fact, I don’t always understand that I am a large dog with something called “personal space.” 😂 When I decide I need some affection, I’ll sit beside you on the couch with my back toward you and then perform my signature move: I “faint” backward right onto you and promptly go to sleep.
Yep. That’s my love language.
The fainting doesn’t stop there, either. I have a habit of napping halfway off things – couches, chairs, pretty much anything that seems vaguely nap-worthy. I’m not sure why I do it, but my foster family finds it hilarious.
I love my people and get the biggest wiggle butt when I see them. I’m friendly and happy to have humans around, and I’m happiest when I’m included in family life.
I’m also working on some important manners. I know “sit” and “down”, and I’m learning “stay”, “give”, and “drop it”. Treats are definitely the way to my heart – and the way to convince me that training is a pretty excellent activity. 😉
I’m about 98% potty trained. I do have one little quirk: if my water bowl is left down when my people are gone or overnight, I may drink a lot and then need to go outside. Sometimes I try to tell my humans, but they don’t always hear me, which can result in an occasional accident. Keeping that in mind helps me be much more successful. I’m also comfortable being left alone for up to about seven hours. I was crate trained as a puppy, although my foster family currently gives me access to a gated kitchen so I can spend more time hanging out with them.
There are a few things my future family should understand about me. I’m a strong girl, and I can still be mouthy sometimes. I missed out on some puppy-manners training in my previous home, so I’m learning that my mouth doesn’t need to be involved in every interaction. I’m smart though, and I’m working on it!
I also need slow, thoughtful introductions with other dogs. I’ve lived successfully with multiple dogs before, and I currently live with three resident dogs. I can be dominant and pushy with canine friends, so I need people who understand dog body language and will give me the time and space I need to get comfortable. My foster family believes slow introductions are important for setting me up for success.
I haven’t lived with cats or other small animals, so that part of my résumé is still blank. My prey drive seems fairly low – I usually ignore the bunnies and squirrels in my yard, although I once reacted to a bunny that suddenly ran right in front of me while on a walk. Since I haven’t been tested with cats, my future family should plan accordingly.
I’ve also learned that thunderstorms are VERY SCARY. ⛈️ During my first storm after coming back to my foster family, I was so frightened that I broke through two gates trying to get to the living room couch. Once I found my safe spot, my foster dad stayed with me on the couch while I shook for hours. So I’ll need a family who understands that storms are a big deal to me and is willing to help me feel safe when the weather gets wild.
My ideal home would be a house with a securely fenced yard. I love being outside, and I can be a bit of a barker when I hear people outside, so a home where that won’t be a major issue would be best. I’m also a strong dog, so I’d do best with an experienced dog owner who is comfortable continuing my training and helping me become the best version of myself.
But underneath all of those details is the part my foster mom really wants you to know.
I’m trying my best, Mom. That’s what she says she sees when she looks into my eyes. I’m a good girl who tries hard. I want to be loved. I want to belong. I want to finally find my place.
And despite everything that has happened to me, I still have so much love to give.
My foster mom says she loves how incredibly resilient I am and how I continued to trust her family after everything I experienced. When they found me again after eleven months, I knew them. I remembered them. And that moment broke her heart and melted it at the same time. She says if she could keep me, she would – but she knows I deserve a home that can give me everything I need.
Maybe that home is yours?
Maybe you’re looking for a big, goofy, affectionate girl who will play with you, follow you around, flop onto the couch, and occasionally “faint” dramatically into your lap.
Maybe you’re someone who understands that dogs don’t have to have a perfect past to deserve a beautiful future.
And maybe you’re the person who can look at me and say, “CocoBear, you’re home.” I sure hope so.🐾❤️
