October 2006   Cocoa
Cocoa Randolph Robertson, a.k.a. Cocolet, the Coke Meister, Cocoa Pop, The Cheese, Cocoa Loco and the singular name he is most known by—Cocoa—is the true owner of Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery and Boutique.

When Cocoa first arrives at his Old Town Alexandria store, he immediately checks out the premises to see who was there the day before. After making sure there were no unwanted visitors, he proceeds to his throne. There by the window Cocoa lays and waits for his guests to enter. If he is feeling really social, he will seek to get off his throne to greet his guests. Later, he will take a stroll around the alley, chase a few birds away from the bakery crumbs, and await his “cream treat”—Cocoa’s canollis. Then it starts all over again.

Cocoa did not always have such a charmed life. When he was a babe, he lived in a home with a large, noisy family. One day the family left town and forgot their Coquito, (“little one”). He was all alone until a neighbor heard him crying. Thinking it was a child, she called the police, who arrived immediately with Child Services. Cocoa came out from a back room eager for attention. He had been left alone for about 4 days according to police estimates. Cocoa was taken to the nearest veterinarian, which is where his Mommy was working at the time. Cocoa had her at the first kiss. Animal Control was present and since Cocoa’s Mom was on the Animal Control Commission Board, she won custody of him. Thus for the past 8 wonderful years, Cocoa and his Mommy have formed an unbreakable bond. She is his sidekick and he is the love of her life.

Stop by Cocoa’s store in Old Town Alexandria and see the 2 large portraits of him on display. Be sure to greet him and let him know you read his remarkable story on our website. Cocoa’s portraits appear elsewhere on our website in our opening Flash animation and in Gallery 1.

Click here to read about a previous Dog of the Month winner.