Whether by miracle or coincidence, the story of 3-year-old pit bull mix Chocolate is noteworthy.

In January 2023, a family in Queens, New York lost their beloved dog, Mocha. They searched for him for months, but the whole family was devastated when they couldn’t find him.

Completely inconsolable, they finally decided that getting another dog would at least bring some happiness to the house. But then something amazing happened…

The story of a lost dog in New York


mocha photo


A few days ago, the New York Animal Care Center (ACC) released a video of a dog that went missing in New York. The video quickly went viral and currently has over 1.6 million views on TikTok!

In May 2023, a dog was found tied to a pole near the ASPCA in Brooklyn, New York, and was taken to the Brooklyn ACC by the NYPD. The volunteers named him Sandy and noticed during his time with them that he had the personality of a real family dog.

He soon became a favorite of the rescue center staff and volunteers. In early June 2023, Manhattan’s Union Square Park hosted the Paws in the Park pet adoption event, with approximately 500 pets from dozens of local animal shelters.

Sandy wore a blue “Adopt Me” shirt and everyone at the shelter hoped she would find a forever home. Meeting between stolen dog and owner

But in the end something better happened and everyone was happy with the results.

Sandy’s real name is Mocha and it was revealed that she was kidnapped from a Queen’s family in January.

Sandy Didn’t Get Adopted, But Mocha Got To Go Home

After searching for their stolen dog for months, Jenny and her family finally decided that they were ready to adopt a new dog and fill the huge hole that Mocha left in their heart. 

“Part of our family was missing,” Jenny told ABC7NY News. 

Their dog, Mocha, was stolen back in January after they left her for a week with a dog sitter they had found through their friend. 

Once they returned from their vacation, their dog was missing, and they couldn’t find her anywhere. 

On that particular day, the family decided to go to the adoption event and see if they could acquire a new puppy. 

“I turned around and was like, oh, that looks like Mocha,” Jenny said. Her husband immediately turned around and said, “That is Mocha!”

As soon as they called her name, she perked her ears and started jumping happily. 

An ACC’s long-time volunteer, Jay Damashek, who was with Sandy/Mocha at the event said that this reunion was the most existing thing that has happened in his long volunteer career. 

“I watched the dog, and they obviously knew each other. It was really kind of obvious,” Jay told ABC7NY News.

“After verifying the family’s proof of ownership and witnessing Sandy’s ecstatic reaction upon seeing them, we are so overjoyed to announce that Mocha has finally returned home,” said in the video posted by the ACC. 

They don’t know what exactly happened to Mocha and where she was all this time, but everyone is happy that she finally returned home. Mocha will be microchipped now. 

In the end, Sandy didn’t get adopted, but Mocha got to go home, and we couldn’t be happier for this furry girl. 

Mocha’s story is a true example that everything is possible, and that you should never lose hope.