A foster dog named Nacho captured hearts worldwide when his temporary caretaker discovered he responded best to Spanish commands — a revelation that ultimately led to his adoption by a Washington state couple, ABC News report.
Chihuahua-1024x576.webp" alt="Adorable Chihuahua" class="wp-image-19201"/>Monica Matute, who fostered Nacho through Los Angeles-based Wags and Walks Rescue, recorded the moment in late September. The clip, filmed three days after she brought the Adorable Chihuahua home, shows Nacho perking up instantly when spoken to in Spanish.
“I never thought to try Spanish,” Matute said, laughing. “He’s a Chihuahua, after all.”
Found wandering near the rescue center without a microchip, Nacho had shown little energy during his first days in foster care. Speaking Spanish changed everything.
“He lit up,” Matute recalled. “That was the most animated we’d seen him.”
The Instagram video exploded, surpassing 10 million views. Despite the attention, no local adopters stepped forward. Rescue officials decided to transfer Nacho to a partner organization in Portland, Oregon, hoping for better luck.
That’s when Nancy, a Seattle-area resident and one of Nacho’s online followers, took action.
Confused why the dog remained unadopted in California, Nancy and her husband Rick drove three hours south to meet him.
“Rick sat on a bench, and Nacho jumped right into his lap,” Nancy said. “That was it.”
A week and a half later, Nacho — now renamed Roelio Montoya in tribute to Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride — settles comfortably into his new home. Nancy mostly calls him “Mijo,” Spanish for “my son.”
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Matute, speaking via video with Nacho’s new family for the first time, beamed with relief.
“I couldn’t be happier he ended up with Nancy,” she said.
Nacho now receives daily affection — and commands — in his native tongue.
