Adri and her partner were driving through a remote area on their way home to Georgia when they spotted a Beagle crossing the road. Concerned for her safety, they quickly pulled over and rushed to help.
As they held her in their arms, their hearts sank at the sight of the frightened, sorrowful pup.
Adri gently stroked her fur, whispering reassurances that she was safe now. Without hesitation, the couple decided to bring her home.
Trying To Win Mocha’s Heart
Source: The Dodo
They clung to the hope that someone was searching for the sweet pup, but she had no collar or microchip. The couple reached out to shelters and shared her photos online, yet no one came forward.
Terrified and withdrawn, the pup couldn’t even meet their eyes, her tail permanently tucked between her legs. Adri’s heart ached as she watched Mocha hide under the tiny cabinets, too scared to come out.
“It was pretty clear to us from the start that she wasn’t used to being inside a house,” Adri told The Dodo. “[She] wasn’t really used to human interaction either.”
Source: The Dodo
Adri and her partner named the timid pup Mocha and began earning her trust little by little. They hand-fed her, hoping to show her she was safe.
Worried that Mocha might have left behind puppies, they returned to the spot where they had found her and searched the area. But there were no puppies to be found.
Heartbroken, they came to a painful realization—Mocha’s owners had likely abandoned her after she gave birth.
Introducing Her To The Other Rescue Dogs
Source: The Dodo
The couple introduced Mocha to their other rescue dogs, and that was when everything began to change. The pups welcomed her with open paws, showing her how to be a dog—playing together outside and helping her feel at home.
Since Mocha was still too fearful to let Adri come close, Adri found another way to connect—through the glass patio door.
She would press her hand against the glass and gently call for Mocha. At first, Mocha kept her distance, but when the other rescue dogs eagerly ran to the door to greet their mom, she slowly started joining them.
Interacting through the glass made Mocha feel safer, but she remained wary. Each time Adri opened the door, Mocha would dart away.
Patiently, Adri took small steps. She began extending her hand through the doorway, and one day, Mocha responded—not by running, but by covering Adri’s hand in sweet, gentle kisses.
Mocha Finally Feels Safe
Source: The Dodo
After four weeks of patience and gentle encouragement, something incredible happened—Mocha walked up to Adri and sat beside her.
It was the first time she had willingly approached her rescuer, and Adri was over the moon. In that moment, she knew Mocha was finally beginning to trust.
“The first time she sat next to me—just sat—she wasn’t looking for an escape route. I didn’t have any treats to offer her. I mean, I could tell her eyes were kind of darting, but she just sat there with me,” Adri shared.
From that moment on, Mocha’s transformation only grew stronger. With endless love and patience, the couple helped her shed her fears. Mocha no longer lived in fear—she trusted them with her whole heart.
Source: The Dodo
“And since then, we’ve made huge progress. She’ll climb onto my lap, let me pet her all over, and just completely relax. Seeing that transformation—it makes every bit of the effort worth it,” Adri said.
At first, Adri and her partner planned to find Mocha a loving home, but as time passed, it became clear—she was already where she belonged. Their home in Georgia wasn’t just a temporary stop; it was her forever home.
We couldn’t be happier that Mocha has found a family who loves her unconditionally. After everything she endured, she finally has the safe and happy home she always deserved.