Foxxy - Our 5th Dog of Christmas

2025 HOLIDAY MATCHING FUND

"12 Dogs of Christmas - Timmy"

Foxxy, our 5th Dog of Christmas, she has eyes that look straight into your soul to say hello and melt your heart along the way. That Foxxy survived life before rescue is a miracle, but the greater miracle is that with everything she's been through, she is willing to still give humans a chance. 

Abandoned in a remote location, left with no food, no water, no warmth in the cold, and no protection from the heat, Foxxy survived with her small family. When humans came to help, she was so afraid that she ran. When she stopped running, she was alone. Her family was gone, yet Foxxy, the strong little girl, survived. When the next humans came, Foxxy let them take her. She didn't know who they were or where she was going. She was taken to a place that was full of other dogs, all behind steel gates, all barking for reasons that Foxxy didn't understand. She could see everything that was going on, but for Foxxy, there was only silence. The unknown of this new world was even scarier to Foxxy than the unknown world she had just been rescued from. Foxxy had never been in a shelter before. If only she could feel the warmth and comfort of the only family that she had ever trusted, the one she had now lost forever. Foxxy was in this strange place with so many other dogs, yet she was still alone.  

Confused, alone, not understanding what was going on, Foxxy would have done anything to feel safe again, but she wasn't safe, and she seemed to know that. She had food, but her stomach still felt empty. Foxxy had no idea what was going on. She didn't know that someone at the shelter was looking out for her, that they had made a phone call. She didn't know what was happening when suddenly, she was outside of the scary place, no dogs barking, looking out the windows of a vehicle, watching everything go by so quickly. She didn't know what was happening when the door opened, and someone came and sat beside her and told her not to worry, that she was okay, and for the first time, she felt like she was safe. 

That day, Foxxy joined her new family, Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue. We could tell she didn't feel safe with humans. She needed to be close to other dogs. There was a puppy in the kennel next to Foxxy, just a little younger than she was. Foxxy noticed that she was so skinny and weak. She watched as strange people came to her neighbor’s kennel just to sit with her, to pet her, and feed her with their hands. Foxxy learned from that little girl next door that some people were okay. Maybe she could trust them, from a distance. 

Foxxy was shy and nervous around people. Who could blame her? Foxxy had been let down by people. When she had needed them the most, they weren't there for her. The hidden scars she carried inside would take time to heal. The scars on the outside were a testament to the pain that she had endured alone. She isn't able to tell us how she got them, but we know the injury to both legs had to have been severe to leave the scars on her legs.  She was still a puppy, now with scars. She had to have been so young and small when she suffered the wounds. Yet, she had survived. Foxxy had survived the cruelty that the world had to offer. She had survived the chaos and the noise of the shelter that she didn't understand, the noise that she couldn't hear.  

It didn't take long to wonder why Foxxy wouldn't respond when we made noises. We knew she didn't know her name yet, but she didn't respond at all. She heard the other dogs bark at her, but didn't look to see what they were barking at. Then she would suddenly hear a different sound, and her ears would turn towards the sound. Foxxy got to go to a temporary foster home, one that was familiar with dogs who had hearing impairments. It was only temporary, but it was there that Foxxy learned what a home could feel like, and it felt good. She had dogs to play with and at least one human she could trust. 

The day came when Foxxy had to return to the kennels. It was different this time, though. It was a familiar place. It felt like home. Rose came to the kennel soon after Foxxy's return. Rose was so frightened that she wouldn't move. Guess who came to her rescue? Foxxy, the Survivor. Rose became Foxxy's new neighbor. Rose didn't do much, though. She just sat there, so afraid. Then she started to follow Foxxy. When Foxxy went outside to enjoy the sunshine, Rose went outside too. When Foxxy went back inside, that is where Rose went. It wasn't long until Rose felt safe. It was time for Foxxy to watch Rose. 

Foxxy had noticed that other puppies would go out to play with people during the day. The Puppy Patrol, they were called. Volunteers who came every day just to give the puppies the time and experiences they needed to grow into healthy adults. She had noticed that Rose didn't go. Then one day, Foxxy was invited to go to the play yard with Rose. Suddenly, the two began running with abandon, chasing each other, wrestling, giving each other kisses, and then resting when they were tired. Rose had found a friend. Foxxy had found the puppy inside of herself that she thought was long gone.

From that day forward, Foxxy was invited to become part of the Puppy group. That was the best thing that ever happened to her. She helped them feel safe from their fears, and they have helped her learn to trust. Foxxy has watched as the puppies go to their people to get love and cuddles, just to sit and watch the world turn. She loves to play with her puppy friends, excitedly running, barking, and jumping. She chases after the balls and plays tug-of-war with another puppy. Foxxy fit right in.

Foxxy has come a long way from the scared, untrusting puppy she was when she first arrived. Now she gets so excited when someone comes to visit in her kennel. When she sees a leash in their hand, she is even more excited. She knows she's going for a walk, usually with another dog and always with one of her new human friends. Foxxy recognizes her friends from a distance and will stop to stare. Those eyes still melt the heart and draw you closer to this little girl who has survived so much in her very short life. Now she is just waiting for her forever family to come along. She knows there's a dog out there waiting to welcome her into his home and share his human family with her.

Through the Holiday Matching Fund, we are able to help dogs like Foxxy. From now until January 1, 2026 each dollar you donate up to $65,000 will be matched. The month is passing by so quickly, and we are now closer to the end than the beginning, and hoping beyond hope that we can get across that finish line and reach the $65,000 goal, a goal that is so important for the dogs who are with us now and those who will need us in the coming year. 

We would like to thank everyone who has donated already. You make life and second chances possible. For everyone thinking of donating, please help if you can. 

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