Annie star "Mocha" finds her forever home

It’s a hard knock life no more for “Mocha,” the scruffy terrier blend who was searching for a permanent home after a staring run as “Sandy” in a local production of Annie.

 On Friday, Mocha was adopted by Richard and Susan Bigley of Fallbrook who promised to adore and spoil the once-orphaned dog.

“We are just ecstatic,” said Susan Bigley as she cuddled her new pet at the County’s shelter in Carlsbad. “This dog has won the doggie lottery.”

Animal Services staff and Mocha’s foster parents selected the Bigleys from a field of 14 applicants who had learned about Mocha in media stories.

It’s a happy ending for an animal whose fate has taken many turns this year. The friendly and cute 5-year-old dog was relinquished by her family at the County Animal Services shelter in Bonita earlier this year. The family cited financial hardship, saying they could no longer care for the animal.

At the shelter, Mocha was discovered by Rob and Alex Kuty, scouts for a production of Annie at Vista’s Moonlight Theater.   

Mocha proved a talented canine actress who delighted audiences in five performances a week. But, while little orphan Annie found a loving home with Daddy Warbucks at the end of every show, when the play closed Aug. 6, Mocha was still searching for her forever home.

The pup had been living with the Kutys, her foster parents and trainers, since they’d discovered her at the shelter in May. She remained with them while Animal Services solicited and reviewed applications from potential adopters, and they Kutys introduced her to her new parents, the Bigleys, on Friday. Aug. 12.

Now that Mocha’s been adopted, there are still hundreds of animals at the County’s three shelters waiting to become the “star” of their new home.