The woman’s daughter encouraged her to find her dream lap dog at an animal rescue
Credit: Pawportunities/Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- Donna James, 90, adopted a blind Chihuahua named Mocha as her ideal lap dog companion
- The Missouri-based rescue Pawportunities matched Mocha with Donna after her daughter requested a small, loving dog
- Donna’s multigenerational family will help care for Mocha to ensure the dog’s well-being in any unforeseen circumstances
A 90-year-old woman searching for the perfect pet found her match at an animal rescue.
Donna James, 90, asked her daughter for a dog that she would be able to keep on her lap as her companion at home; the two found the dog of their dreams in a Chihuahua named “Mocha” at Missouri-based animal rescue Pawportunities.
“Mocha is a blind little chihuahua,” Pawportunities shared on Instagram. “She wasn’t always blind; she just lost it suddenly one day. As a result, she is the very definition of a lap dog. She wants to be in someone’s lap all the time.”
As Pawportunities tried to find someone to foster the pup, they got a request from Donna’s daughter, who was looking for a “small dog” to be her mother’s friend and “sit on her lap in her wheelchair.”
“When they reached out about a different dog and explained what they were looking for, I knew Mocha would be perfect,” Pawportunities’ executive director, Carrie Siems, told Upworthy.
Shortly after hearing from Donna’s daughter, Pawportunities set up a meeting between Mocha and Donna and shared it on Instagram. In the social media post, the 90-year-old enthusiastically cuddles the pup and pets her softly.
Credit: Pawportunities/Instagram
“Isn’t that so sweet? I’m so thankful,” Donna’s daughter said of the meeting. “This is exactly what they wanted.”
The Instagram footage shows Donna rubbing the Chihuahua’s head as she relaxes in her arms, then bringing Mocha close to her head to whisper sweetly to the dog.
Credit: Pawportunities/Facebook
Pawportunities said they had extensive conversations with Donna’s family about what would happen to Mocha if “something unforeseen” happened to Donna while she was caring for the dog. The family explained that they lived in a “multigenerational household” and the whole family would support and take care of Mocha.
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“The daughter and I discussed not wanting Mocha to get overly attached to her new mama, in case she encounters any health challenges,” Pawportunities explained. “So the daughter will take Mocha with her on daily coffee runs, and Mocha will also spend individualized time with the other members of the family, to help prepare Mocha if something happens to her new mama.”
Siems told Upworthy that families should keep an open mind during the adoption process as many people “think they know what they’re looking for,” but it isn’t “always in line with the types of dogs they’re looking at.” However, she said this situation was “a match made in heaven.”
“I think this particular family is really special with it being a multigenerational household that’s so loving and supportive of each other,” the organization added. “It’s really refreshing and beautiful to see.”
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