Dog Rescue Stories: Tacoma’s Parents Fell in Love As Soon As They Saw Her Picture!

By Jarissa Aquinde, Positively Woof Rescue and Adoption Story Editor

Charlene and Pierre were actively looking for a husky through a few breeders. It would be the first dog they raised together, and the thought of adopting wasn’t ever brought up. Luckily for them, all of the husky breeders they contacted wouldn’t have litters for at least another 3 months. One day, Charlene’s brother sent her a Petfinder link to a dog named “Tundra”. Tundra looked like a bear and was absolutely adorable! Charlene was immediately smitten with her, but kept reading about her sister, “Tacoma”. Charlene clicked on Tacoma’s name and was sent to another page with this photo:

Charlene knew that Tacoma was meant to be hers the moment that she saw her picture. She had always grown up with and preferred male dogs,  but everything Charlene thought she wanted was thrown out the window the minute she saw Tacoma’s picture.

Charlene and Pierre went through the process of fostering to adopt, but they knew from day one that they were going to give Tacoma her forever home.  Settling into her new home wasn’t easy. Tacoma missed Tundra (who was adopted by their first foster family — they named them after Toyota trucks!), and she was also very timid. Charlene and Pierre had different ideas on how to train Tacoma, but they worked together and with a trainer to help her overcome her fears.

Charlene and Pierre are so happy they found Tacoma and want to encourage people to be open minded when adopting an animal.  You could miss out on an amazing fur baby if you are set on a certain size, sex, or breed of dog.

Follow Beautiful Tacoma on Instagram @cocobups

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???????? First day of school – Sophomore Year: When you’re still unsure if you’re one of the jocks or the smart kids, so you still smile at everyone until one of the groups gives you an opening. Later when you’re eating lunch alone in a bathroom stall, you realize you should have just hung out with the theatre kids…. They don’t start drama.. ???????? #BarktoSchool @barkbox #imagirlbutonlyfitmydadsclothes #iletteredinduckpooprolling . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Sep 7, 2016 at 12:14pm PDT

☀️ Sunny days were made for swimming, orange Chuckit! balls and wet piggy noses. ???????????????? #chuckit @chuckitfetchgames . Hoping some fabulous pals had excellent HAPPY BIRTHDAYs and HAPPY GOTCHA DAYs: ???? Levi (@levi_the_havanese) ???? Morgan (@iamatinypuppyinatinyzoo) ???? Jeremy (@jeremythegolden) ???? Kevin (@kellybahamas) . Happy long weekend pals!! ???????? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Sep 4, 2016 at 8:37pm PDT

Last night at family dinner, cousin Rigby and I found out we aren’t actually related. He was so shocked… ???????? #iknewsomethingwasup #wereadopted . Happy long weekend friends! Hope your weekend is full of surprises…but maybe not a surprise like ours… ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Sep 2, 2016 at 5:12pm PDT

Nope, not leaving the water any time soon. ☀️???? . Happy Sunday friends, stay cool and stay hydrated out there. ???? . Wishing some of my awesome buddies very special HAPPY BIRTHDAYs: ???? Tesla (@pomsky.tesla.poro) ???? Chester (@jumpforjoysf) ???? Peanut (@peanutcharlie) ???? Aria (@jreiley92) ???? Monty (@monty_burns_the_labrador) ???? Zorro & Zeke (@zorro_and_zeke) . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Aug 21, 2016 at 1:14pm PDT

Monday’s almost here and I’m super excited about it….not. ???? . Hope you all had a lovely weekend! ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Aug 14, 2016 at 7:56pm PDT

Chill Sunday vibes with my Bungee Buddy Bear ????. Hope you’re all having a wonderful day. ???? . Wishing some exciting HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to a couple of my fabulous pals: ???? Shadow (@shinjipuppy) ???? Maya (@maya_shiba_inu) . Want your one awesome bear buddy to chill with? Check out @TheBarkShop for Bungee Buddy Bear and use ‘TACOMA’ for some extra noms. @BarkBox . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Aug 7, 2016 at 6:08pm PDT

???? When one of your best pals is the prettiest ballerina! ???? #whpfriendshipis . Hung out with some awesome pals including gorgeous Lexy (@lexy_the_elderbull) for #vancouverpride. So much love around the city this weekend. @vancouverpride ❤️???????????????????? . Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and an amazing week ahead! ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Aug 1, 2016 at 7:11pm PDT

How to celebrate #NationalDogDay: ✔️ Ball in mouth ✔️ Let human pet you ✔️ Stare incredulously at cat sauntering by… ???? In other words, pretty much just be yourself. ???? Happy National Dog Day awesome pals!! ???? #whodoyouthinkyouarecat . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Aug 26, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT

Photobombing my pal Toby! ???? @tobycorgi . ???? Happy Tuesday buddies! ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Aug 16, 2016 at 7:21pm PDT

oink. ???? #thislittlepiggycriedweeweewee for a treat. ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Aug 10, 2016 at 9:01am PDT

I am loved. I am hers. I am free. – “On Her Love”, Ashley Raine dela Cruz Yip ❤️???????????????????? @ashthedap . Celebrating Vancouver Pride this weekend with my best pals wearing our @littlespoonandco rainbow bandanas. If you’re out and about in Vancouver this weekend celebrating love in all its forms, hopefully we will run into you. Little Spoon & Co. has a booth tomorrow at Sunset Beach from 11am – 6pm and we will definitely be around. Come stop by and check out all their cool swag. . Have fun. Stay hydrated. Be safe. Same love. ❤️???????????????????? @vancouverpride #bettertogether #vancouverpride #whpfriendshipis . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jul 30, 2016 at 4:02pm PDT

Weekend, I’m coming for you! ???? #icantfeelmyfacewhenimwithyou ???? . Vancouver, British Columbia is celebrating Pride and B.C. Day this weekend. Have fun, stay hydrated and be safe out there my friends! It’s gonna be an awesome and epic time! . Also celebrating some special friends’ birthdays and rescue days, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY / HAPPY GOTCHA DAY to: ???? Poro (@pomsky.tesla.poro) ???? Pancake (@maple_the_corgi) ???? BillyBoy (@pattycakebillyboypwincy) ???? Murphy (@murphy_and_walter) ???? Knox (@knoxdogyvr) . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jul 28, 2016 at 1:42pm PDT

When you’re lying in goose poop and you’re waiting for your mom to look away so you can roll roll roll! #thisreallyhappened #iminnocent #nothingtoseehere #WagAware @WagAware . Wishing some of my fave buddies very HAPPY BIRTHDAYs ???? Chopper (@chopperinu) ???? Andie (@jacksonthemalamute) ???? Denzie (@ddonvand) . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jul 17, 2016 at 6:44pm PDT

Loving life. #WHPpostcard . Wishing some amazingly wonderful buddies HAPPY BIRTHDAYs and HAPPY GOTCHA DAYs: ???? Canon (@pawsofoz) ???? Magoo (@magoo.and.pippa) ???? Leo (@littleleothemorkie) . Happy Sunday loves. ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jul 10, 2016 at 12:59pm PDT

You know it’s a good toy when you fall asleep playing with it! ????❤️ . Happy Friday friends! Hoping you have fun so hard you fall asleep mid-play! ???????? . Can’t get enough of my organic pet toys from @purrfectplay. These toys are so lovingly crafted that if Mother Nature doesn’t make it, they won’t use it. Check them out at www.purrrectplay.com — use code: cocobupslovestoys for 20% off, available until July 31st once per customer. Share with your pals! . Also thank you to @odieseyes and @purrfectplay for allowing me hours of awesome play with these! I’ve pulled and bit and shaken them, and they’re still wonderfully intact! ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jul 15, 2016 at 8:18am PDT

I’m sad I missed my best buddy Violet’s Birthday! Hopefully this throwback photo of her as a spider and me as a jazz legged Dracula make up for that. ???????? . ???????????????? HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIOLET!! ???????????????? @violet.the.boston . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jun 25, 2016 at 9:19pm PDT

Throwback to that time when I overheard my humans say that S-A-N-T-A wasn’t R-E-A-L. ???????????????? #myearspickupeverything #whoscookiesamieatingthen . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jun 22, 2016 at 4:45pm PDT

How to best friend: – wear matching onesies… ’nuff said. . Happy National Best Friend Day!! Y’all are my BFFs and you know it! #nationalbestfriendday . Shoutout to Grizzy (@grizzywolf) for keeping me, Lola, Bean, Jack, Derry and Shinji swagged out to the max! @lolavancity @beanthechiweenie @jackinstadog @myawkwarddog @moonlightdogcafe . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jun 8, 2016 at 7:28pm PDT

Mondays are meant for visiting your happy place. Mine’s Vancouver. #vancity . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jun 6, 2016 at 8:12pm PDT

Life’s a beach. ???? . Wishing some of my wonderful pals beachin’ HAPPY BIRTHDAYs: ???? Omega (@omegasamigos) ???? Bella (@navas_huskies) ???? Maizee (@missmaizee) ???? Joey (@kingsofthewildthings) ???? Oberon (@jreiley92) ???? Tiffany (@jreiley92) . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jun 2, 2016 at 1:40pm PDT

I adore you. You’re my whole life, Mom, and I’m so lucky you’ve made me yours. ???? . Happy Mother’s Day to my mommy and all the wonderful mommies out there. It’s not always easy taking care of us but you all do a really good job trying your best. ???????????? #happymothersday . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on May 8, 2016 at 11:49am PDT

Friday nights are for clubbing. ???????????? #ifetchfirewood . What are your party plans this weekend pals? . Wishing some of my awesome party pups HAPPY BIRTHDAYs and HAPPY GOTCHA DAYs: ???? Gravity (@yowulf) ???? Jordy (@raji_parker.and.jordy ) ???? Sophia (@twolittledoxies) ???? Harley (@harleythehusky) . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Apr 29, 2016 at 7:54pm PDT

Head up, tail up! Happy weekend pals! ???????? #justkeepswimming . Wishing 2 fabulous Vancouver pals BEST WISHES on their birthday and gotcha day: ???? Knox (@knoxdogyvr) ???? Nyx (@thevandogdiaries) Love you two, thanks for being my friends! . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Apr 16, 2016 at 1:04pm PDT

Learning how to creep behind phone booths from the infamous private detective Sherlock Bones himself… It’s not easy when you’re a giraffe… ????????#sherlockbones Interested in becoming a private puptective, check out the goodies at @BarkBox and @theBarkShop. Use code TACOMA on checkout for a FREE extra goody! . Or maybe I’m hiding because I’m late on some HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes and GOTCHA DAYS to some excellent friends: ???? Sammy (@sammyandzoey) ???? Hunter (@__shlau) ???? Wade (@kingsofthewildthings) ???? Faith (@found_fostered_forever_faith) ???? Kato (@huskykato) ???? Nova (@nmhuskies) . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Apr 10, 2016 at 12:13pm PDT

???? For anybody with the Sunday night blues, here’s me as a penguin to help cheer you up… #notahappycamper . I also want to wish some awesome buddies very belated HAPPY BIRTHDAYs and HAPPY GOTCHA DAYs: ???? Elwood (@lenalunaandelwood) ???? Canon (@pawsofoz) ???? Natasha (@borisandtasha) ???? Taiga (@taiga_the_husky) ???? Anya (@lobsterjojo) ???? PattyCake (@pattycake1billyboy1) . Sorry I’m so late, my humans are slow… ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Mar 20, 2016 at 6:54pm PDT

What are you looking at lady? It’s not gonna fill itself… ???? . Show ’em who’s boss at your house. Head over to www.Zee-Dog.com and use code TACOMA and receive 10% off your next purchase. #ConnectingDogsAndPeople #ZeeDog #ZeeDogMafia #DogsKickAss . Wanting to wish big boss belated HAPPY BIRTHDAYs and a HAPPY GOTCHA DAY to: ???? Eboni (@2labs) ???? Lola (@puggedbylola) ???? Milo (@mydogstagram) ???? Booker (@goldens.unleashed) ???? Tahoe (@ryan_and_tahoe) . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Mar 9, 2016 at 8:34pm PST

???? Taking advantage of the nice weather with two of my best gal pals! #nationalloveyourpetday . TOMORROW’S THE LAST DAY & ONLY 250 CHARMS AWAY FROM OUR GOAL OF A $4K DONATION! #WagAware @WagAware will donate a WHOPPING 60% of ALL SALES of dog & cat (orange & brown) charms to @SaintsRescue – #WagAware4SAINTS! Join the Ruff-olution at WagAware.com. No promo code needed, and they ship internationally. ???? A very special thank you to the wonderful hosts: @thevandogdiaries @lexy_the_elderbull @toby_littledude @maska_the_husky @cocobups @myawkwarddog @west_coast_heeler_pack @pnw.heelersquad @marcel_the_frenchbulldog @justice_for_bullies @chinapelada @aussieoverload @oakley_aussie @pittie.little.chia @lizzie.bear @hudson_rushing_in @brynn_and_brio @kyra.bc . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Feb 20, 2016 at 4:02pm PST

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.” – Winnie the Pooh ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Feb 6, 2016 at 4:46pm PST

Mondays… #amirite #ihavenoshame #mondayblues . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jan 25, 2016 at 8:34am PST

❄️☃ More snow please! ☃❄️ #snowdog . With the crazy of the holidays I missed a few of my fave pals’ birthdays and gotcha days so I’m slowly going to catch up! Wishing some belated very HAPPY BIRTHDAYs and very HAPPY GOTCHA DAY to: ???? Rookie (@roo.life) ???? Zelda (@_zeldathehusky) ???? Leonidas (@leo.and.zara) ???? Brutus (@brutustagram) ???? Neo (@pignosedneo) ???? Tux (@walksnwagspetfirstaid) . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Jan 5, 2016 at 3:22pm PST

Oh yeah, who’s the BOSS? Not Tony Danza.. ???? . ????❗️ Get 75% OFF all @zeedog swag with code TACOMA (65% + additional 10%) today! Visit zee-dog.com now!! Worldwide shipping available!! ????❗️#zeedog . Grab a bowl like mine from Zee.Dog and show ’em all who’s BOSS! ???? . .

A photo posted by tacoma the malamute husky x (@cocobups) on Nov 27, 2015 at 7:36am PST