Timmy - Our 4th Dog of Christmas

2025 HOLIDAY MATCHING FUND

"12 Dogs of Christmas - Timmy"

"Years ago, I was in a very high kill shelter. I was still a puppy, not even a year old.  My name is Timmy, and today I get to tell my story. Today I am the 4th Dog of Christmas.  Someone very special gave me the voice to be able to tell my story. Please listen as I tell it to you.  

Some said I was lucky so many years ago. I was rescued from a very high-kill shelter. My rescuers told me I was going to get adopted and have a forever family of my own. Do you know what adopted means? I don't either. I was never adopted. They said dogs like me were harder to adopt. I didn't look like the others. I was a Shepherd mix. I didn't understand. I wasn't a German Shepherd, but I was a puppy. I know I was cute. I know I am old now, but I remember being cute.

As the days turned to weeks and then months, I watched from my kennel each time as a family was introduced to the dogs, looking for something that I must not have had. I wanted to tell them I can be cute for you. I can run for you. I can play with the ball. I promise I will be a good boy. Still, I was not the one chosen. I wondered to myself, 'Why not me? What is wrong with me?'

The months turned to years, and I still watched as dogs found their forever families. I didn't understand. I dreamed of being the one that someone chose and walking out the door of my kennel forever. I dreamed of being loved.  In my dreams, I was happy as I walked out the door with the family, so proud. I had so many dreams. They all had different families, some with children, some with other dogs. They had big yards for me to run and play in and all the toys any dog could ever want. But when I woke up, I was still in my kennel, wondering, What is wrong with me? Why not me? 

Time stands still for no one, not even a puppy in a kennel, not even me. As the years went by, I dreamed of being able to run as fast as I could. I dreamed of being able to play with another dog. I dreamed of having just someone visit me every day to tell me I was special and to take me out for a long walk away from the place that I dreaded so much, the four walls that had been my life now for almost 10 years. 

Age had changed my dreams as much as it had changed my body.  Unable to get exercise, my muscles had withered. The twinkle in my eyes were now covered by the blue of age. Without the muscle that I once had, it was so painful to walk. Yes, my dreams had changed. When I closed my eyes at night, I no longer dreamed of being chosen. I just dreamed of a life without pain.  The rescue that had saved me tried their best to get me adopted, but they couldn't. No matter how much they loved me, they couldn't help me.

Then I woke up one day. The sun rose just like every other day. Today, I went outside. I met a lady who had heard my story. She and two of her friends came to meet me, the dog behind four walls for almost 10 years. Oh, boy, she was nice. She bent down to look at me, and I could see that her eyes were full of soft clouds, getting ready to rain. But she didn't let it rain. She held herself together for me.  I could hear her talking with her two friends who came with her. They were so nice, too. They weren't afraid to talk to me or to touch me. They knew that old age wouldn't rub off on them if they petted me, and their touch was so gentle against my old bones. 

That lady with Coastal K9 German Shepherd rescue is now my mom. I know she's not my real mom. She only has two legs, but it was the day that I met her that, for the first and only time in 10 years, someone had chosen me. My mom told me that she will be my family for as long as I need. She told me about everyone in my family. I was so excited to meet them.

My new friends helped me get into a comfortable van to make the drive down to Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue, my new home.  And when I got out, I was so surprised. There was grass and trees and birds and mountains in the distance. And they took me on the shortest walk that my body could bear just to let me smell the flowers.

I got to do something else, go to the doctor. My mom talked to the doctor and let them know just what she had told me. Timmy has lived 10 years with nothing.  He deserves a life with family, with love, with the sun shining down on him. He deserves a life without pain. And no matter how long that life is going to be, I told Timmy that's exactly what he is going to get, a life of love without pain.

I know my story is long. It's a 10-year story, though.  I hope you can read just a bit more. I would tell you a joke, but I haven't learned many jokes. I have learned love, though. My mom wasn't joking when she told me about the family I would have. I have people who come to see me every day. They give me my medicine. They give me my food. I have to have a special prescription food because of issues that I had that weren't taken care of. They change my blankets on my soft bed. They vacuum my floor. Best of all, they give me lots of hugs and love.

I have been going on walks now. They aren't as long as the youngsters', but they are still nice. I love the sunshine. I don't even mind the rain. I get to wear a raincoat when it rains. No one wants me to miss a thing.  I get sweaters to keep warm in the winter and cool mats for the summer, and, of course, my room has air conditioning.  

My mom made sure that I had a team to care for me to make sure I am not in pain. I have someone who comes every day to give me therapy. I get to wear a nice collar that helps my neck and my muscles, and I get to wear a blanket. It has a name, but I can't remember it. When I lie on the blanket, it helps my muscles and my joints. I like to wear it like a cape. I call it my Superman Cape. I love my life now. I love my human mom. Every day that she comes to the Ranch, she visits me first, and then she visits the other dogs who are older or special in some other way. Every day, she tells me that I am so special. I am glad that she saved me. I am so glad that she gave me the voice I have wanted for so long.

Now, when I go to sleep each night, I dream of the adventures the next day will bring and the friends who will share those adventures with me. Don't get too excited. We're not going to Disneyland, but a short walk around the yard and the parking lot for this little old man is just as much fun. And not to brag or anything, but when I see my reflection when I pass by the cars in the parking lot, I have muscles again. Thank you to all of my angels. "

Why the Holiday Matching Fund? It's for dogs like Timmy. When we heard his story, we had to help. He deserved a life without pain and a place to live that life, even if it isn't the traditional family, and we knew we could provide that place for him.  

The Holiday Matching Fund is our biggest fundraiser of the year. Even though it won't pay for the entire year of costs, the thousands of dollars a month for prescription food and regular food, the medications, the roof over their heads, and everything else the dogs need, it is a significant portion. We are blessed to be able to provide a home for a dog like Timmy, but we wouldn't be able to do that without your help. 

We would like to thank everyone who has donated already. You make life and second chances possible. For everyone thinking of donating, your donation, no matter the amount, will mean a dog has another tomorrow. 

From now until January 1, 2026, each dollar you donate up to $65,000 will be matched. Please help us reach our goal. Please donate if you can.

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