Submitted by Save-a-Pet, Linda Scrace of FORA (Friends of Rescued Animals) and Tayla Rinkel
Photography by Mariaan Browne
Bingo and Bluey – Save-a-Pet shares...
Bingo and his sibling, Bluey, arrived at Save-a-Pet during a sterilisation campaign we were running in a local indigent community. The owners had agreed to let us take the pups for rehoming and sterilise their mommy to prevent future litters.
When they arrived, they were a mangy, sorry-looking crew, but full of life and very people-friendly. With good-quality food and the correct treatment, they soon began to recover.
Over time, they were introduced to our reception area where they could be fully socialised with people, other dogs and our office cats. Bingo progressively grew into the sweetest, gentlest-natured pup… a perfect all-round family dog. We could never understand how he was constantly overlooked and were sad to see him getting older without joining his own forever home (even though we loved having him around).
Finally, his amazing personality was seen by Tayla and her partner, who were looking for a relaxed, cat-friendly dog to join their family. We’ve been so happy to see him thrive in his new home, and even more so with his lovely new friend, Coco.
Coco – Linda shares...
We took Coco over from CLAW when we went to fetch another special case in January 2025. Coco had mange, was covered in mostly bare patches and the hair that was left was in matted clumps, so Candis and I groomed and trimmed her as best we could. She was treated for mange, sterilised and vaccinated, and through the winter her hair grew out.
She’d turned into a real mop of a pup with a thick glossy coat – bigger than a Maltese or a Yorkie, and we guessed she was around four years of age.
She’d had her first proper grooming and trim with the team from Caity Cares in the October, and when I posted an update, so many people asked about adopting her, but then, as per usual, no one pitched up to actually meet her and adopt her!
And then Tayla made contact – and the rest, as they say, is history! Coco found the most fabulous Forever Home and a new doggy sibling too!
Tayla shares...
After losing my very special little Chihuahua, Lexi, to cancer and heart failure after months of vet visits and a stay in hospital, I was absolutely devastated. She’d been the one constant in my life since I was a teenager, and the loss left a huge hole in my heart.
A few weeks later, friends and family suggested that getting another dog might help me heal. I was reluctant at first because I wasn’t sure if I was ready yet, and I didn’t want to go through that kind of pain again.
I eventually decided to start keeping an eye on rescue shelters and Facebook pages and just see what would happen. That’s when I first came across Coco’s adoption post through Scottish Terrier Rescue SA and FORA (Friends of Rescued Animals).
I felt instantly drawn to her but was disappointed when I realised she was all the way in Johannesburg, while I was in Port Elizabeth.
Nevertheless, I decided to enquire with FORA about whether they’d consider allowing her to relocate and whether she was good with cats. I sent an email and thought to myself, “If she’s meant to be ours, she will be.”
A few days passed, and in the meantime I came across a nine-month-old dog named Bingo at Save-a-Pet Port Elizabeth. He was from the township and had been at the shelter since he was six weeks old. We went to meet him and instantly fell in love. He was soft, gentle, and incredibly sweet.
Our biggest concern about adopting a dog was our two rescue kitties, who are both quite nervous. We didn’t want a dog that would chase or bother them. While we were meeting Bingo at Save-a-Pet, one of their cats casually came and sat on his head while he was lying down and he wasn’t bothered at all. That was the moment we knew he was perfect, and I booked him on the spot.
Two days later they completed the home check, and that same day I brought him home. He instantly became attached to my hip and brought much-needed light back into my life.
A couple of days after adopting Bingo, FORA responded to let me know that Coco was still available and that she was perfect with cats. Since Bingo had only just arrived, I didn’t want to rush in to bringing another dog home before he’d properly settled in.
A couple of months later, we spent two weeks staying with my mom in Plettenberg Bay. Bingo absolutely thrived there with my mom’s Golden Retriever. Watching him come alive around another dog made me realise how much he’d benefit from having a sibling.
I immediately thought of Coco again; she’d never really left the back of my mind. I phoned FORA and, incredibly, she was still available.
I explained that I’d recently adopted Bingo and asked whether a reference letter from Save-a-Pet could be used in place of a home check, since FORA was so far away and unable to do one themselves. Thankfully, they agreed.
A few days later, my application was approved, and I was absolutely thrilled. I immediately went online to arrange her flight, only to discover that she had to wait another 14 days before travelling because she’d recently received her vaccinations. I was disappointed, but I knew she’d be worth the wait.
Finally, on the 28th of April 2026, the day of her flight arrived. The only flight from Lanseria to Port Elizabeth was in the evening, which somehow made the wait feel even longer.
My partner and I left for the airport shortly after her flight departed, because I was determined to sit at the restaurant and watch her plane land. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, I was beyond excited to finally meet our beautiful Coco.
By the time she arrived it was dark, but we still managed to catch a glimpse of the plane touching down. We rushed to the Pet Lounge and waited while they brought through all the animals from the flight.
When Coco was finally brought through to the Pet Lounge, I expected a nervous little dog to cautiously step out of the crate. Instead, she came walking out confidently with her tail wagging, completely excited to greet us. In that moment, I knew she was everything I’d hoped for and more. She happily walked out to the car, tried to jump in by herself, and off we went home.
From the moment Coco and Bingo met, they became inseparable best friends. You rarely see one without the other, and together they’ve become my little shadows. Coco fitted seamlessly into our home and family, taking every new experience in her stride.
On her very first beach trip, I expected her to be nervous of the waves, smells, and unfamiliar surroundings. Instead, she confidently trotted onto the beach and followed Bingo straight into the water. The two of them had the best time swimming and rolling in the sand together.
Coco is such a sweet, loving, brave little girl with an enormous personality. Her resilience is incredible – despite everything she’s been through, she remains such a happy, life-loving little dog.
Looking back now, everything worked out exactly as it was meant to. While nobody could ever replace my Chihuahua girl, Bingo and Coco have healed a very broken heart and brought so much joy back into my life. I’ll forever be grateful to FORA and Save-a-Pet for the amazing work they do, and I’m so thankful for finding such perfect dogs. They were truly a massive blessing, and I believe that my Lexi sent them to me.
