Meet a little dog named Nacho (a Chihuahua) who — despite being fostered in Los Angeles — wasn’t responding to the usual English commands. His foster carer, Monica Matute, noticed something surprising: when she switched to Spanish, Nacho’s ears perked up and he began to really engage.
It turns out the simple act of speaking Spanish opened up communication and trust for this little guy — reminding us that dogs, like people, sometimes just need the right “language” (figuratively or literally) to feel seen.
A viral moment changes things
In September, Monica shared a TikTok video where she tried English commands (“Let’s go outside”, “Want to eat?”) and got little response — then switched to Spanish and Nacho became energetic, tail-wags, head-tilts and all.
That small moment of interchange went viral, and suddenly Nacho’s story had potential to reach his forever family. It’s a good example of how a single clip can transform a pet’s future.
From fostering to adoption
While Nacho was in the shelter system (initially with Wags and Walks adoption centre in L.A.) he was being fostered by Monica, who admitted she wasn’t originally a big fan of Chihuahuas — picturing them as barky or dramatic — but Nacho surprised her in the best way.
After the Spanish-discovery, he moved through a rescue programme (via Oregon Humane Society) and eventually found his forever home when a Spanish-speaking couple, Nancy Garza‑Harris and her husband Rick from Seattle, saw his videos and made the drive to adopt.
Finding the right match
When Nancy sat on a bench during the meet-and-greet, Nacho jumped into Rick’s lap — and in that moment it was clear: the match was made.
His new family renamed him Rogelio Montoya (a nod to The Princess Bride character Inigo Montoya) and because they spoke Spanish, they were able to communicate naturally with him. Monica said she “just couldn’t be happier” that he ended up in a place where his language made sense.
It shows how “right home” for a rescue dog isn’t just about love and a couch — it can include matching needs like language cues, temperament and environment.
What we can learn from Nacho’s story
- Dogs can have preferences (or sensitivities) we might not immediately expect — like a responsiveness to commands in a particular language.
- A foster’s persistence and willingness to observe tiny cues can make a huge difference in a pet’s life. Monica noticed the change and acted on it.
- Viral moments matter—but what matters more is what comes after: this story didn’t stop at views, it led to adoption.
- Compatibility goes beyond breed or size: for Nacho, it was about communication and cultural/linguistic fit.
- Lastly, if you’re fostering or adopting, being open-minded and observant is key. It might turn a “difficult” case into the perfect pair.
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
