Whose dog is Coco on ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ season 9?

In a season filled with romantic bombshells and partner switch-ups, it’s a furry canine friend who has stolen the spotlight on the currently airing ninth instalment of Bachelor In Paradise. The beloved French bulldog appeared in the fourth episode of season nine, and somehow took centre stage even as Paradise contestant Sam continued to struggle with her bowel movements.

Throughout some episodes, the dog — named Coco — is seen chasing Sam down the shores of ​​Sayulita, and was elsewhere caught running off with Jess’ sandal, much to her (and the world’s) amusement. When an adorably small dog becomes the drawcard of a television series, fans can’t help but oblige. So who exactly is Coco’s owner, and how did he make his way onto primetime?

Whose dog is Coco on Bachelor in Paradise season 9?

Coco’s identity had remained unknown for some time, though audiences were recently informed at the top of last week’s episode that the Frenchie belonged to the lifeguard who patrols the beach near Playa Escondida Resort. We more recently learned, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, that Coco is owned by the resort manager, Diego.

The long-awaited revelation came courtesy of Wells Adams, a former Bachelor contestant who now serves as Paradise’s season nine bartender. Adams — who is now married to Modern Family alum Sarah Hyland — said Coco belongs to Diego, and that the much-loved dog runs the Paradise beach both “literally and figuratively.”

Naturally, given his bonafide cuteness, Coco has caught the attention of Paradise fans the world over, with one viewer writing that the dog should join the contestants and go on one-on-one dates. Others described Coco’s shoe-stealing scene opposite Jess as the most heartwarming in the recent episode, and continued wandering about the whereabouts of Jess’ sandal.

For their part, Paradise contestants themselves commented on Coco’s presence. On a clip of the dog posted to Instagram, Jess — who was eliminated on the spot after confronting Zach — said she misses Coco, while first-week eliminee Olivia Lewis said the dog “is always up to no good.”

Coco becoming a fan-favorite is no small feat for a season of Bachelor In Paradise that has featured Taylor Swift superfans, a love triangle between Rachel, Brayden, and Sean, and one contestant’s head-scratching inability to poop. Coco joins a long lineage of dogs with connections to The Bachelor universe, with Us Weekly even crafting an entire catalogue of canines with reality TV star parents.