We’ve lived in the Hill Section since 2018, and one of the things we love most about this neighborhood is how walkable and welcoming it is—especially for dog lovers like us.

Our journey into dog ownership started on Christmas Eve of 2022 when we adopted Rocky, a small white Shih Tzu/Maltese mix. He was about two years old at the time and came to us from a rescue after being surrendered by his previous owner. Since he already responded to his name, we decided not to change it—we figured he’d been through enough and wanted to make his transition as smooth as possible.

After a few months, we noticed Rocky seemed a little lonely while the kids were at school, so we decided he needed a friend. That’s when Coco came into our lives in April 2024. She’s a small brown Shih Tzu/Yorkie mix and had been found without a collar, very matted and clearly homeless. Naming her was a whole family event—after a lot of back and forth, all four kids finally agreed on Coco.

These two are quite the duo. Their favorite pastime? Sneaking leftovers off the kitchen counter the second we turn our backs. They're not picky—if it’s left unattended, it’s fair game!

One of our favorite memories was telling the kids we were going to foster a dog on Christmas Eve. They had been begging for a dog for years, and the joy on their faces was unforgettable. Of course, fostering quickly turned into adopting, and Rocky became a permanent part of our family.

Rocky and Coco love walking the hills in our neighborhood, especially near Poinsettia and 8th Street where they’ve made a few fellow Shih Tzu mix friends. They also love tagging along to our office near the Manhattan Beach Pier and strolling The Strand.

They’ve brought so much love, laughter, and energy into our home—and we’re so grateful for the joy they add to our lives every single day.