Imagine how lost Roxi must have felt when her owner tied her to a light pole and walked away, leaving her stranded beside a busy highway in Long Island, New York.
The four-year-old English Mastiff probably wished she could run after him. Instead, she was forced to stand there, helpless, watching as the person she trusted disappeared from view.
In only a few moments, Roxi lost her home, her safety, and the human she loved.
Confused and terrified, she began to cry out, hoping that someone would notice her and offer help.
A Good Samaritan Steps In
While on his way to work, Garden City Sanitation worker Ray Quinones spotted Roxi tied to a pole and could hardly believe his eyes. He immediately pulled over to make sure she was okay.
As he got closer, he could hear her crying for help.
Roxi appeared relieved to see him, but fear made her hesitate.
Not wanting to alarm her, Quinones kept his distance. He noticed a small bowl of food placed beside her, as if someone had tried to ease their guilt.
He quickly contacted the police and stayed nearby so Roxi would not be left alone.
When the officers arrived, they gently untied Roxi and discovered a handwritten note left next to her food bowl.
“This is Roxi, a trained American Bullmastiff. She is four years old. She has been fed and given a flea bath, she may still have issues with them. See that she gets good care.” the note said.
The officers took Roxi to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, where veterinarians examined her. Aside from being underweight, she appeared to be in good health.
Officials were furious that anyone would abandon a dog so close to one of the busiest roads in the area. They immediately launched an investigation.
“The Southern State Parkway is arguably one of our most traveled and treacherous highways on Long Island. It is no place to abandon a 4-year-old animal, and leaving a note with well-wishes just doesn’t cut it,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly told The New York Post.
It didn’t take long for investigators to locate Roxi’s former owner. He was arrested and charged with animal abandonment.
A Second Chance At Happiness
Despite everything she had gone through, Roxi remained gentle and loving. She tried to adjust to life at the shelter and accept that she no longer had a family.
Her story quickly spread, and soon, people from across the country reached out wanting to adopt her.
John and Sandy Reeve from Aquebogue, New York, had recently lost their beloved Mastiff, Hannah. They had not planned to adopt again anytime soon. But when they saw Roxi’s story on the news, they were shocked. She looked exactly like Hannah.
The couple contacted the shelter but were told that no new applications were being accepted.
However, after hearing about Hannah, the staff made an exception and invited the Reeves to meet Roxi.
When they arrived, they took her out for a walk to get acquainted.
Although Roxi had developed a fear of men, something amazing happened when she met Mr. Reeve.
“When I sat down, she came, put her head on my lap and slobbered me up,” Mr. Reeve told The Suffolk Times.
It was clear to everyone that Roxi had found her family. The bond between her and the Reeves was instant and undeniable.
The shelter staff quickly approved the adoption, and before long, John and Sandy brought Roxi home.
From the moment she entered their house, Roxi’s joy was unmistakable.
Today, Roxi is thriving in her new home. She adores her family and spends her days exploring their three-acre property by the water.
She runs, plays, and enjoys the kind of freedom and love that every dog deserves.
Roxi’s story is a reminder that even after heartbreak, second chances can bring incredible happiness.