At a Glance
- Monica Lopez receives a puppy after a burglary that left her grieving over stolen money, wedding rings, and her dog Rocky.
- Burglary stole $2,000 and wedding rings; Rocky was injured and died that night.
- Katherine and Ralph Fuentes gave Lopez a cane corso puppy on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025.
- Why it matters: It shows community compassion after a tragic loss.
When a burglary left Covina resident Monica Lopez grieving for her lost dog and stolen belongings, her neighbors stepped in with a heartfelt gift that brought new life into her home. The incident, which occurred last November, saw her American boxer Rocky defend the house before succumbing to injuries that night.
The Tragic Burglary
Last November, thieves broke into Lopez’s home, taking $2,000 meant for her mortgage and her late husband’s wedding rings. Rocky, the American boxer, chased the intruders and was found a few blocks away with a head injury. He died later that night.
A Compassionate Gift
After hearing Lopez’s story on NBC4, Katherine and Ralph Fuentes decided to give her a puppy. They had recently had a litter of 10 cane corsos. On Sunday, Jan. 4, 2025, they met Lopez at her home and presented her with two puppies to choose from.
Katherine Fuentes said:
> “It broke my heart. It really did.”
Ralph Fuentes said:
> “Katherine, she looked at me and I saw the look and I was like ‘Yeah, I’m thinking the same thing,’ … We have to give her one of our puppies.”
Monica Lopez said:
> “Hi, baby! I’m your new mom.”
Monica Lopez said:
> “This is not an animal, this is an angel.”
Lopez chose one puppy, cried, and declared it an angel, bringing hope back into her home after the loss of Rocky.
Key Takeaways
- Monica Lopez received a cane corso puppy after her dog Rocky died following a burglary.
- The gift came from neighbors Katherine and Ralph Fuentes, who had a litter of 10 cane corsos.
- The gesture highlights community support in the aftermath of a tragic loss.
The gesture underscores how neighbors can help heal wounds after a tragic loss.
