It’s a fact that no matter how much we love our pets, we all come to a point when we have to say our goodbyes. For example, Cocoa, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, lived a full and happy life in her 16 years of existence. Thanks to her doting parents, she enjoyed her last few weeks by visiting her favorite beach.
Cocoa, a beloved senior dog
Tom Antonino and his wife have always considered Cocoa, their dog, a true member of their little family. They live in Georgia, but they always went to Virginia Beach. For their little family, this spot is like their own personal retreat.
But old age has significantly slowed Cocoa down. At 16 years old, she could no longer go on long walks. Cacao’s weakness and lethargy left her parents wondering what they could do so she could still enjoy their remaining time together.
Tom came up with the perfect solution. He created a mobile dog bed so that Cocoa need not walk to the beach. The mobile dog bed was equipped with a rope and wheels, allowing him to pull the bed wherever they go.
Cocoa’s last adventure
Once the mobile dog bed was completed, Cocoa and her parents went to visit their favorite place. The family sat calmly before the beach as they witness the sunset.
A stranger was impressed with Cocoa’s dog bed and asked the couple if she could take a photo of them. Tom obliged. Soon enough, the picture made its rounds on the internet and inspired lots of people.
Tom is not a Facebook user, so he was surprised to learn that Cocoa’s story has gone viral. His brother-in-law if it was them in the photo. Tom confirmed that it was them going for a walk at Virginia Beach.
Unfortunately, Cocoa bade farewell recently. But her family is still grateful that Cocoa had the best times at the last moments in her life. Tom is also happy that Cocoa’s story touched many people. For him, it showed that when you treat dogs like family members, you develop a solid bond with them.
Thanks to Carrie Copenhaver