05/24/2026
Cali & Paco: When Everything Changes Overnight 🖤
They didn't do anything wrong. 4-year-old Cali and her 3-year-old son, Paco, were surrendered to the shelter because of a housing move. One day they had a home, familiar routines, and safety—and the next, they were standing in a loud kennel, watching their entire world walk away.
Behind our kennel doors, two completely different dogs emerged from that heartbreak.
Cali: The Brave Lowrider
Cali (around 40 lbs) is a pocket-sized Black/White-Chi/Pit Bull mix, a powerhouse of pure affection. When she got here, she was nervous and unsure, but she chose to move through the world at full speed anyway. She is all wiggly greetings, frantic check-ins, and “please love me” energy wrapped up in a low-slung body. But no matter how fast her tail is wagging, she never stops checking to make sure her boy Paco is holding up.
Paco: The Boy Who Shut Down
Paco (around 50 lbs) Tan/White-Chi/Pit Bull mix, handled the trauma differently. He completely shut down. He hid behind his mom, lip-licked constantly, and growled or snapped when he felt cornered by the noise and fear. Honestly? We didn't blame him. He was clinging to the only piece of his old life he had left.
We didn't push him. We sat quietly on the floor, moved slowly, and let him watch Cali trust us first. Because he trusts her blindly, he decided to try. Little by little, Paco started creeping out from behind her. Today? This same boy completely melts for belly rubs, plays hard in the yard, and quietly leans his whole weight into you once he knows you're safe.
They are not a mandatory package deal. They are separate dogs, and we know they can survive apart if they absolutely have to.
But here is what is heavy on our hearts: Cali is Paco’s mother, and she is quite literally all he has ever known. She is his safety net and his built-in confidence. He already lost his family; we would love nothing more than to see him get to keep his mom.
The Fast Facts:
Kids: Both previously lived with small children.
House Manners: They appear to be housebroken.
Medical: Both are currently being treated for tick-borne illnesses (Cali for Lyme/Ehrlichia; Paco for Lyme/Ehrlichia/Anaplasmosis). They are handling treatment like total champs.
If someone has the space and heart to keep them together, you will be saving a mother and son who desperately need each other. But if you only have room for one, come meet them anyway—they both deserve a fresh start.Apply to adopt here:
https://orangecountyva.gov/159/Pet-Adoption-Foster-Care-Information
