Mikey - Our 11th Dog of Christmas

2025 HOLIDAY MATCHING FUND

"12 Dogs of Christmas - Mikey"

Who protects the angels when they’re the ones hurting? Mikey, The Unseen Hero

You met Willie. Our 1st dog of Christmas, but you never met the dog who saved him, Mikey.

Mikey was Willie's angel. We wouldn't let the 12 dogs of Christmas pass without introducing you to an angel that put his own hurt nd pain aside to give Willie strength. This special boy is the 11th Dog of Christmas, our Mikey. Maybe Mikey had an angel with him every step of the way, one to help him endure the cruelties that humans threw his way. Yes, he must have had an angel, we just wish Mikey’s journey to us wasn’t as painful as its been.

Mikey didn't get dumped at the shelter. He was picked up as a stray, skinny, full of foxtails, fur thinning from scratching from trying to make all the pain go away. His beautiful ear was missing the tip, a mystery, still today. His leg was swollen, and in the shelter's description, he was "lame".

When X-rays of Mikey were taken, they saw where the pain was coming from. He had a broken leg. The fractures were not displaced. This type of break he had is caused by high-energy traumas or falls. Although we will never know for sure, most likely Mikey was hit by a car.

The Shelter gave Mikey pain meds, but they had no way to splint his leg, no one to watch him. For the next two and a half months, Mikey spent his days and nights in his kennel, at the shelter, as his body healed. For Mikey, that was the best they could do. Maybe his angel was with him for those two and a half months. We like to think so. Maybe it was his angel who called us at the last minute to see if we could help.

November 21st, 2025, just one month ago, Mikey joined us here at the Ranch of Coastal K9 German Shepherd rescue. It was so heartbreaking to see this big regal boy, as he greeted volunteers, tail wagging like he knew he was safe, but head still bowed as though he wasn't sure if he could believe it, and why would he?

Mankind has not been kind to this sweet boy.

The broken leg was not the first pain Mikey had to endure.

At some point, someone looked at this gentle dog, alone, thin, wandering the streets, and decided his life was worth so little that they aimed a gun at him and pulled the trigger. What the X-ray also revealed was a bullet in his leg. Maybe Mikey was just looking for food. Maybe his tail was wagging, believing he was finally safe.

But he wasn’t safe.

All we can painfully imagine is when the bullet tore into his leg, Mikey ran. Not knowing why it hurt so badly. Not understanding what he had done wrong. Just running on instinct, on fear, on the need to survive. Somewhere in that moment, through unimaginable pain, he chose not to give up.

How else can you explain the strength it took for Mikey to keep going?

Shot. Injured. Alone.

For weeks? For months? We just don’t know how long Mikey was wandering the streets, trying to stay alive, carrying a bullet in his leg, and still fighting to live in a world that had already shown him its worst.

Today, he still lives with the lead shot in his leg, proof of just how cruel life can be for a dog who has no voice of his own. Yet, still, Mikey loves. He trusts. He has made many friends since joining our lives here at the rescue. He is still trying to gain weight. Even at 85 pounds, he is skinny. His fur is growing back, and there are no more foxtails. Mikey has been fighting the big world alone for far too long.

His time for a loving family is due. His time is due for a home that shows him that this world has humans in it who will love him.

He is ready for his forever home. Maybe his next angel is looking for his family right now. Are you Mikey’s next Angel?

The Holiday Matching Fund helps dogs like Mikey. There are only a few days left to help these dogs reach their goal, which will cover the medical needs and care that have been ignored for far too long.

From now until January 1, 2026, every dollar donated—up to $65,000—will be matched.

Even $10 can change a life. Through many, we can help one.

 From now until January 1, 2026, each dollar you donate up to $65,000 will be matched. Please help us reach that goal for the dogs who have had such a miraculous journey and angels fighting for them, but also for those who have no one to speak for them. They pray for just one miracle, the one that will save their life.

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