Chico’s story is one of heartbreak, confusion, and ultimately, hope. Imagine the sheer terror and bewilderment he must have felt as his owner, the person he trusted and loved, heartlessly threw him out of a moving car on a busy road in Signal Hill, California. Not understanding what was happening, the loyal pup did the only thing he could think of—he chased after the car, desperate to get back to the only home he’d ever known.
For miles, Chico ran, his little legs pumping furiously as he tried to catch up. He didn’t understand that his owner no longer wanted him, that the person he looked up to had abandoned him in the most callous way. All Chico knew was that he had to get back into that car, back to the person he loved. But when he finally caught up and tried to jump in, the car sped away, leaving him alone and terrified in the midst of heavy traffic.
The sight of this poor dog chasing after the car broke the hearts of those who witnessed it. One person captured the entire ordeal on video and posted it on Instagram, where it quickly went viral. The video left viewers devastated, worried about Chico’s fate as he wandered the busy streets, lost and scared, not knowing where to turn.
Enter Destiny, a compassionate woman who came across the video while scrolling through Instagram. Her heart went out to the abandoned pup, and she knew she had to do something. She immediately set out to find Chico, driving to the area where he had last been seen. Unfortunately, she couldn’t locate him, so she turned to social media, hoping that someone else might have seen him and could help.
As luck would have it, a Good Samaritan did see Chico and provided Destiny with his location. Since Destiny had to work, her boyfriend, Kevin, took on the mission of finding the dog. He drove around the area for about an hour before finally spotting Chico. But Chico, now overwhelmed with fear and distrustful of humans, began barking at Kevin, unsure of his intentions.
Kevin, however, wasn’t deterred. He knew that earning Chico’s trust would take time, so he patiently sat with the dog, offering him food and gentle words. Hours passed, and slowly but surely, Chico began to realize that Kevin wasn’t there to hurt him. The dog’s fear gradually subsided, and he allowed Kevin to come closer.
By the time Destiny arrived to join Kevin, Chico was sitting calmly by his side. The couple felt an overwhelming sense of relief as they promised Chico that he would never be abandoned again. They took him to a temporary foster home where Chico spent the night, finally feeling a sense of safety and comfort for the first time since his ordeal began.
But Chico’s journey wasn’t over yet. Destiny and Kevin reached out to Bella’s Animal Rescue, a foster-based organization in Southern California, asking for their help in finding Chico a permanent home. The rescue gladly took Chico under their wing, placing him with a foster mom named Brooklyn, who showered him with the love and care he so desperately needed.
Under Brooklyn’s care, Chico began to heal. He started to forget the pain of his abandonment, and his trust in humans slowly returned. The once heartbroken and terrified pup began to show signs of happiness, enjoying his days with Brooklyn and feeling cherished for perhaps the first time in his life.
Though Chico has found comfort with his foster mom, his journey to a forever home continues. He longs for a permanent place where he will be loved unconditionally, a place where he can finally feel at peace. Given all that he’s been through, Chico deserves nothing less than a loving, forever home where he can live out the rest of his days in happiness and security.
Chico’s story is a testament to the power of compassion and the difference that just a few kindhearted individuals can make in the life of an animal. From the strangers who shared his story online to Destiny, Kevin, and the team at Bella’s Animal Rescue, Chico was surrounded by people who refused to give up on him. And now, thanks to their efforts, Chico has a second chance at the life he deserves.
4o