Cocoa
Australian Shepherd / Australian Kelpie / Mixed (short coat) · Adult (3 years 9 months) · Female · Medium · Yreka, CA
Notes from Rescue Ranch
Meet Cocoa – A Tender Heart Waiting for Her Turn to Shine
Cocoa is a soft, sensitive soul who’s only just beginning to discover that the world can be kind. After arriving at the Ranch as a devoted mama, she lovingly raised her puppies and watched each of them find a family of their own. Now it’s her time. Cocoa deserves the same love, safety, and devotion she gave so freely to her little ones.
This sweet girl is still learning to trust humans, but every day she shows us a little more of the beautiful dog she’s becoming. She needs a calm, patient home—someone who understands that love doesn’t always appear in a rush… sometimes it grows quietly, steadily, and beautifully. With gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement, Cocoa is making genuine progress, especially with her leash skills. Give her a kind word or a soft pat, and she’ll try her very best for you.
Cocoa also truly shines around other dogs. A confident canine companion would not only suit her well, but help her continue to blossom. She relaxes more easily, learns faster, and feels safer when she has a dog friend by her side—someone who can show her what trust, play, and comfort look like.
Cocoa may not bound into your lap or greet you with wagging enthusiasm on day one, but that’s what makes her journey so special. She’s the kind of dog who forms deep, meaningful bonds—the kind built slowly, with respect and love. And once she trusts you, that trust is unwavering.
Cocoa is ready for someone with a big heart and a gentle hand. Someone who sees her quiet bravery. Someone who understands that the most rewarding relationships are often the ones we take the time to nurture.
If you’re willing to offer patience, compassion, and a safe haven, Cocoa may be the perfect addition to your family—and the transformation you’ll witness will be nothing short of beautiful.
Call the Ranch today to meet Cocoa. You might be the person she’s been waiting for all along.
Read Cocoa's Dog of the Week post here: https://rrdog.org/dw/cocoa/
Thank you for considering adopting a Rescue Ranch dog. While they are with us, each and every rescue dog receives the best of care in a loving and nurturing environment. Their routines include daily playgroups or partnering with dog buddies, quality time walking or being groomed, and two meals a day with dog biscuits for dessert.
About Cocoa
Gets along with
- Dogs
- Yes
Home and care
- House-trained
- Yes
- Indoor or outdoor
- Indoor and Outdoor
- Energy
- Moderate
- Exercise needs
- Moderate
- Grooming needs
- Low
- How vocal
- Some
- With new people
- Cautious
- Training
- Needs Training
- Coat
- Short
Health
- Special needs
- No
Can be an escape artistEven-temperedGentleLeash-trainedNeeds another pet for companySkittishTimid
As listed by Rescue Ranch. Please confirm anything important with them before you adopt.
What happens next
- Contact Rescue Ranch using the button. AdoptNearby does not take applications.
- They will send you their application or ask a few questions about your home.
- Most organizations arrange a meet, sometimes a home visit, then a small adoption fee that usually covers spay or neuter and vaccines. That fee is paid to Rescue Ranch, never to AdoptNearby.
- Read the dogs care guide so you arrive prepared.









