30-04-2025
Shelter dog ‘never got to be a puppy' — until rescuer ‘refused' to let her down
A pup who went without and was neglected for most of her young life is getting a second chance at life and happiness in Indiana.
Roxxi, a terrier, pitt bull mix, suffered abuse from being locked away from the rest of the world and knew nothing but the crate she was confined to.
'Roxxi never got to be a puppy,' the Humane Society for Hamilton County in Fishers said in an April 29 Facebook post. 'For the first eight months of her life, Roxxi was neglected and trapped in a crate, with no walks, no toys, no soft beds, and no warm laps to crawl into.
'No one ever taught her how to be a dog.'
Then a rescuer saw Roxxi for the love bug she is and didn't let this end up being the final chapter in the pup's young life.
'Thanks to the kindness of a rescuer who refused to give up on her, Roxxi made her way to us,' the shelter said. 'When she arrived at HSHC, she was scared, unsure, and completely unprepared for a world she had never been allowed to explore. Now, she's learning what love and trust feel like.'
Trust and love feel a lot like toys galore for Roxxi.
'At just a year old, Roxxi is catching up on everything she missed. Under the care of our team she has discovered the pure joy of fetch (tennis balls are her favorite!), the comfort of gentle scratches behind her ears, and the magic of stretching her legs outside to play,' the shelter continued.
'Roxxi loves her toys so much that she sometimes struggles to share, a heartbreaking reminder that she likely didn't always have access to food, toys, or comfort. But she's learned so much! She now knows 'drop it' and 'leave it,' and happily trades her treasures when asked. She's passed food bowl training, learned basic commands, and grown into a smart, well-mannered young dog who is eager to keep learning.'
Things to know about Roxxi, per the shelter and her pet profile, include:
Not a huge fan of catsCan be shy with newcomersHas a 'rough-and-rowdy playstyle'Likes meeting other pupsShe'll steal your heart
'Roxxi's heart is wide open she just needs someone patient enough to meet her halfway and continue her journey,' the shelter said. 'Someone who sees not where she started, but where she's headed.
'She needs a home, not a kennel. She needs a family who won't give up on her.'
For more information, visit the shelter's website.
Fishers is about a 20-mile drive northeast from downtown Indianapolis.
