We’ve lived in the neighborhood for 13 years, and we like to joke that we moved out here for the congestion and traffic issues, hoping the roads would stay under construction for years on end. In all reality, though, this is a great community of people who come together to help one another when needed, and we truly value that.

We have two dogs, but today I want to focus on Roxy. Roxy appears to have some Pyrenees mix in her based on her features and tendencies. She prefers to stay outside at night in the backyard, quietly watching over the grounds. She’s a night owl, and we like to believe she’s protecting us. When she finally comes inside, I can hear her moving from room to room, checking on the kids before settling into her favorite chair.

Roxy came into our lives about two years ago after Fort Bend County Animal Shelter put out a plea asking for short-term fosters ahead of the big freeze. I really want to highlight the importance of shelters and how we need to try to adopt these dear, sweet, abandoned dogs. Going in to see the dogs was heartbreaking. That’s where we found Roxy—she was named Dawn at the time. She had been one of the shelter’s longest residents, having spent a year caged after being picked up pregnant off the streets of Rosenberg. Her puppies were all adopted, but no one chose Roxy.

When she joined our family, we could tell she had been abused. She did not like men, including me. She would growl when other men came over, and even with me, she would run away if I tried to pet her. It took about six months for her to really start trusting me.

There was one moment that changed everything. Roxy was chasing a varmint in the yard when she managed to get her head stuck inside a large, turned-over vase. This wasn’t a small vase—it was a 50–100 pound water feature. I was home alone when I heard the commotion in the backyard. She was panicking, struggling to breathe, and strong enough to lift the vase while trying to escape. I couldn’t get her free on my own, so I called two friends from the neighborhood, and they rushed over immediately. I ended up using a chisel and hammer to break the vase apart and free her. Ever since that day, our bond has been completely different.

Roxy doesn’t play much with toys, and I sometimes wonder if she didn’t get to play much as a puppy. But every now and then, she gets the zoomies—running all over the house and showing off her jumping skills by leaping right over the couch.

She absolutely loves treats. She came to us a little on the skinny side, but those days are long gone. Her favorite word is definitely “treat,” and she gets so excited when the treat bucket opens.

One of the traits that makes Roxy stand out most is how protective she is. She likes to sit in the backyard at night, guarding the space until about 11 p.m. while we sleep. Because of her late-night patrols, she enjoys sleeping in. We’re all up by 5 a.m. … except Roxy. She sleeps until 7 a.m. and then wakes up ready for her morning treat.

Walks are Roxy’s favorite thing in the world. When I bring out the leash, she spins in circles and runs toward the door with pure joy. I honestly think that when she was locked up for a year in the shelter, that leash may have been her one source of freedom. She loves going on walks and sniffing tall grass along the way. We do walk to the dog park, but she doesn’t seem to enjoy it as much and usually prefers to head back home fairly quickly.

She isn’t much of a car dog. We’ve often wondered if she may have been abandoned from a car because she truly hates getting into one. Because of that, we don’t travel much with her. But when we do, stopping for a pup cup from Jeremiah’s is always a special treat for her and her big sister.

When I think about my favorite memory with Roxy, it’s really her entire transformation. I still remember how distraught and nervous she was when we first brought her home. You could see how scared and confused she felt. Today, she’s a completely different dog. It took her a good six months—and even a near-death experience—but she finally feels safe, comfortable, and at home. It truly brings a smile to our faces knowing that she chose us to rescue her.