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[Pet of the week] Morocha’s miraculous journey: From a Venezuelan beach to a loving home in Los Angeles

During a vacation in Isla Margarita, Morocha captured Viviana’s heart instantly.

JUNE 13, 2025 9:57 PM EDTJUN 13, 2025, 9:57 PM EDT

Morocha’s story is one of resilience and hope. This adorable stray pup was found wandering the beaches of Isla Margarita, Venezuela, before embarking on a life-changing journey all the way to Los Angeles, where she now enjoys a safe and loving home with Viviana Sarmiento, owner of The Kind Dessert, and actor Andres Londono.

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Antonia, Viviana’s first dog, ruled the household for years with a strong personality that made it hard for her to accept new furry friends. Viviana dreamed of rescuing more dogs but worried about introducing another pet into the family, until she met Morocha.

During a vacation on the Venezuelan island, Morocha captured Viviana’s heart instantly. The little dog lived on the beach near their hotel alongside other strays. Every evening, Morocha would come to watch the hotel’s nightly show, even falling asleep under Viviana’s chair.

On the last night of their trip, Morocha charmed the crowd by joining Viviana on stage during a contest, winning applause and the title “The Perfect Couple.” That same night, Morocha stayed in their hotel room for the first time, and when it was time to leave, she and the other dogs followed them to their taxi, which was a heartbreaking goodbye, as Viviana describes it.

Morocha's journey: From stray pup on a Venezuelan beach to a loving home in Los Angeles

Back home in Bogotá, Colombia, Morocha never left Viviana’s mind, and with help from friends and social media, Viviana launched a search, which resulted in the rescue of another hotel stray, Margarita, but Morocha was missing.

Eventually, a kind woman found Morocha, who had been injured and had given birth to six puppies. She was hit by a car and nearly lost a leg but was rescued and cared for by animal lovers on the island.

Nala, Antonia and Morocha in Los Angeles

Morocha’s road to recovery was challenging. She battled illnesses including ehrlichiosis and transmissible venereal tumor (TVT), but her spirit was unbreakable. After her rescuer could no longer care for her, Morocha was reunited with Viviana, who faced the next big challenge: introducing her to Antonia.

Viviana and Andres with their pups, Antonia, Nala and Morocha

With patient guidance from trainers, the two dogs gradually learned to coexist. The day they finally settled together in the same home, Viviana was overcome with emotion, and her dream of rescuing and keeping one of her foster dogs had come true. While Antonia passed away in 2023, she went on to become Morocha's best friend.

In 2019 Morocha traveled with Viviana to the United States, adapting to her new life in Los Angeles. The adorable pup visited the beach for the first time in LA and was visibly anxious, possibly remembering memories of her difficult past, but when she realized she would never be abandoned again, she quickly calmed down. Today, Morocha is more than just a pet, she is Viviana’s soulmate.