Two-month-old Taco was found on the side of a busy highway in central Mexico in December 2008. Some kind passerby scooped her up and brought her to the local dog shelter, where Taco’s future momma and friend were volunteering while on vacation. After two weeks of fostering, Melissa couldn’t stand to leave such a sweet, adorable, good-natured puppy behind and decided to bring Taco to America on New Year’s Day 2009.

While not a fan of the cold, Taco adapted easily to the hustle and bustle of NYC, making both canine and human friends everywhere she went. This 8-pound supposed Chihuahua mix kept growing and growing until she reached knee-high and 45 pounds, earning herself the breed name “Mexican dingo” from her momma. Although she prefers to stretch out in the sun, Taco can’t resist a fun romp in fresh snow or bounding through dense woods.

Today, Taco is a thriving 3-year-old Canine Good Citizen who lives with her chocolate lab boyfriend, Gulliver, in a building where the doormen give her treats when she comes home sweet home.