Losing someone you love can turn your whole world upside down. For Coco, an eight-year-old Chow, the loss of her beloved human dad and her canine companion, Churchill, changed everything. Suddenly, two of the most important companions in her life were gone, and the future looked uncertain.
Growing evidence suggests that many animals experience grief following the loss of a human or animal companion, sometimes showing changes in behaviour, an increased need for attention and signs of distress. While researchers continue to debate how best to understand these responses, many experts recognise that grief is not exclusive to humans. As Barbara J. King, author of How Animals Grieve, explains: "It's beyond question now that many animals grieve; science tells us they do" (Dunphy, 2025).
When Coco's dad passed away, his daughter travelled from the USA to settle his affairs and reached out to BarkingMad for help finding Coco a new home.
With the property due to be sold in December, Coco's future was uncertain. Thankfully, the kind staff on the property promised to continue caring for her until a suitable home could be found. After everything she had been through, the priority was making sure her next move would be a fitting and lasting one.
Getting to Know Coco
Coco is a sweet, happy girl with a lovely personality. True to her Chow heritage, she's wonderfully loyal to the people she loves and happiest when she feels safe, settled and part of the family.
She's a girl who appreciates the simple pleasures in life. One of her favourite pastimes is sitting on the verandah, watching the birds, monkeys and everyday happenings in the garden. She also enjoys neighbourhood walks, walks beautifully on lead and happily greets the people and dogs she meets along the way with a wagging tail and a big smile.
Coco needed a family who understood her nature, appreciated her gentle companionship and would give her the patience and reassurance she needed to settle into a new life.
A Thoughtful Match
Fortunately, a kind and loving family in Port Shepstone came across Coco's plea for a home and knew they wanted to meet her.
Following a successful home check, the family made the trip to Ballito to meet her. Rather than rushing the introduction, they spent hours together, sharing tea and conversation while giving Coco the opportunity to familiarise herself with them at her own pace.
The following day, they made the journey again, this time bringing their own dog along for a meet and greet. Thankfully, it was a success!
It was clear that this family understood the importance of getting things right for Coco. Their patience and willingness to make the journey twice gave everyone the opportunity to see whether this could be the right fit.
And it seems they got it just right.
Coco is already falling deeply in love with her new dad. His calm, gentle nature seems to have made him a particularly wonderful match for her. Sometimes, the best connections simply make sense.
Responsible Rehoming Makes All the Difference ❤️
Coco's journey is a reminder that responsible rehoming is about so much more than finding an available home. It's about understanding an animal's individual needs, taking the time to find a suitable match and making thoughtful introductions that give everyone the best chance of success.
This family's willingness to travel to meet Coco, spend time getting to know her and return for a carefully planned introduction with their own dog is a lovely example of that commitment.
Life doesn't always go according to plan, and sometimes circumstances change in ways we never expected. When a beloved pet can no longer remain in their home, taking responsibility for their future means making sure they are safe, cared for and given the opportunity to find happiness again.
At eight years old, Coco has experienced more loss than any dog should have to. But her story hasn't ended there.
She has a new home, a new companion and a dad who is already very close to her heart. We hope this next chapter brings her all the security, companionship and love she deserves.
Because beautiful new beginnings don't have an age limit ❤️🐾
Reference
Dunphy, M. (2025, December 5). Recognizing pet grief: Signs and strategies for healing. Humane World for Animals. [Read the article](https://www.humaneworld.org/en/all-animals/how-to-help-grieving-pets).
