Foxy

I first met Foxy, a scared and uncertain 5-month-old pup, when a rescue volunteer brought her to me from a very overcrowded rural Eastern Kentucky shelter. Our rescue found a foster home for her and I was to take her there and get her settled in. It was February 10, 2011, and my Mom joined me that afternoon. At an appointment that morning we learned she had lung cancer, and helping with a rescue transport was a much needed and welcome distraction. 

Normally, that would’ve been it. We help a cute pup make her way to foster and hope that her happy ending with a forever family will soon follow.  But wouldn’t you know it, the universe had other plans. Within a couple of weeks, I got a call from the foster; she had received notice from her landlord that Foxy had to go. She was one pet over the limit at her rental. 

At the time, we had 2 of our own adult dogs and another foster pup whose sibling had recently been adopted, so we figured Foxy would make a great playmate for her until she found her forever home. Foxy joined our pack seamlessly and when her vetting was complete, she was posted for adoption. Months went by and the applications we got for Foxy were subpar, at best. Finally, after a meet and greet gone bad, we made the decision to make Foxy a permanent member of our family. With us she had come out of her shell, connected with the other dogs, was happy and settled. She was exactly where she was supposed to be. 

In describing Foxy, I would say she was really a walking contradiction of sorts. A very sensitive creature, Foxy would scream bloody murder in response to something as simple as drying off her wet paws or picking her up to put her in the car. Visiting places like the dog park and PetSmart were overstimulating, resulting in anxiety rather than fun, so we learned to avoid those types of places. The vet’s office was another place that brought on similar unease; by the time the vet would come into the exam room, wide eyed and panting, Foxy would be standing in a puddle of her own drool.

Conversely, in the moments Foxy felt comfortable and secure is when her confidence really shined through. She loved her walks around the neighborhood and the many local parks and trails we frequented.  On these adventures, her walk was more of a “fancy prancy”; she always had some extra pep in her step. Of our pack, she was the only one we could trust to let off leash. She would only go so far before stopping to look back, checking to make sure we weren’t too far behind. While she didn’t love swimming in deeper water, Foxy loved the shallows; just high enough to touch her belly was perfect. Her version of swimming was digging at the water with her front paws, splashing it all around.

One of Foxy’s greatest pleasures was a squeaky Kong tennis ball, though any toy with a squeaker would suffice. Whether we were playing fetch or she simply picked it out of her toy box to carry around and squeak, it was a favorite. Along with being a playmate to all the foster pups that passed through, Foxy was a wonderful sister and companion to Rudi, Chaya, Honey, and Chili. She would affectionately make sure everyone’s face and ears stayed clean, happy to help by giving plenty of licks and kisses. Playing chase, thieving toys, sunbathing in the yard, going on walks; no matter what she was doing, Foxy genuinely seemed to enjoy it more if she was with her friends. While her more submissive nature didn’t always serve her well with her more dominant housemates, Foxy’s kindness, love, and care for all of them was clear, especially with her bestie, Rudi. 

Foxy, I can still hear your unmistakable bark and your silly grunts and moans. When the alarm goes off, I can still feel you crawl onto my pillow and root your snout under it, like you always used to do when I would blow on your face. I still see your toys around the house in the spots you used to hoard them. I miss the delight of coming to the crate of the pickiest eater I’ve ever known to find an empty food bowl.  I find myself peeking in your hiding spots, somehow hoping you will be there. I still envision you running with abandon; forever known as “the fastest dog in town”. 

If I was asked to draw a picture of what joy looks like, I would draw a picture of you. Defined as a feeling of great pleasure, contentment, and delight, you are joy personified. Joy is what you gave us for 14 ½ years. Your sweet, sensitive, loving nature poured from your bright eyes and infectious smile. Your silly mannerisms and crazy quirks brought us more laughs than we could ever count. You reminded us there is happiness to be had; you found it in each and every day. 

Foxy, we miss you beyond words. You hold a piece of our hearts, and it’s there that the love we shared and the memories we made live on; always keeping you with us, always keeping you close.

You just keep on running ahead my sweet girl; no need to stop and look back. I promise we’re right behind you, and though it may take a while, we will be together again one day. Until then, be with your sisters, be joyful, have fun, run wild, and never forget how deeply you are missed and loved. You will forever be our one and only "Chi Chi".