People who meet Josey often freeze in disbelief when they learn she cannot see.
Her determination, paired with the steady support of her mom, Colleen, leaves a lasting impression on everyone who crosses her path. Together, they have worked through trauma most cannot imagine.
Josey had been abandoned on the roadside, and what followed was even more devastating.
This is how her story unfolded.
Uncovering The Truth About Her Lost Vision
She was found in Alabama beside her canine friend, Roger, and taken for an urgent veterinary evaluation. The exam revealed that she had endured significant head trauma, a blow severe enough to steal her sight.
At first, rescuers assumed she had been hit by a car. Curiously, she showed no additional injuries. After receiving early care in Alabama, she was transported to Brown Dog Coalition in Massachusetts.
Only then did the full truth come to light.
Veterinarian Colleen McCarthy agreed to foster her, guiding her through recovery. As time passed, Colleen discovered what had truly caused Josey’s blindness. She had not been struck by a vehicle. She had been shot in the face.
Brown Dog Coalition confirmed that pellets were lodged in her head, cheeks, and ears. Fortunately, they do not need to be removed at this time.
“After Josie joined her Massachusetts foster mom, @bugsybuttonbellisima, we learned that Josie had been shot in the face. Pellets remain in her head, cheeks, and ears, but as long as they aren’t bothering her, they won’t require removal,” the BDC team wrote on Instagram.
Breaking Every Assumption Placed Upon Her
Colleen never expected the newcomer to be so gentle, yet Josey fit into her Massachusetts home with surprising ease. She moved through daily life without demanding any special accommodations.
“Despite her tragic past, Josie has somehow preserved her sweet and silly innocence. Her presence touches the hearts of everyone she meets,” BDC wrote.
Her resilience was extraordinary. Josey acted as though her vision were intact, often convincing newcomers she could see perfectly well.
Her ability to navigate her environment was astonishing. Within a few months, she had memorized the layout of her home and even mastered communication buttons.
Her top choice was easy to guess. She loved the dental chew button.
“She loves to use buttons to speak. She’ll press the dental chew button, that’s like her favorite,” Colleen told GeoBeats Animals.
If Colleen took too long to answer, Josey simply persisted, tapping again and again until her request was met.
Although her eyes no longer function, they still appear strikingly expressive. What stands out even more is her unwavering spirit. She greets each day with enthusiasm, refusing to let her past define her.
Not long after arriving as a foster, Colleen reached a turning point. She realized she could not imagine life without Josey. Their bond had become unbreakable.
Josey became a permanent member of the family.
Offering Comfort To Every Dog Who Needs Her
Since then, Colleen has welcomed many foster dogs, and Josey has been involved in each new arrival. For reasons no one fully understands, other dogs gravitate toward her.
“Josey’s been a very welcoming, big foster sister for other dogs with disabilities,” Colleen says.
One of them, a blind pup named Joey, held a special place in her heart. The two instantly connected. They cuddled, exchanged gentle kisses, and played together in the yard, always attuned to each other’s presence.
When Joey was adopted, his departure left both Josey and Colleen grieving. His absence was felt throughout the home.
Even so, Josey continues to flourish. She opens herself to every dog who enters her life, offering comfort and companionship. When the house grows quiet, she enjoys peaceful moments with her family.
She loves everyone around her, from people to dogs to cats, and she shares that affection freely.
Despite the cruelty she once endured, Josey carries herself with joy and determination. She moves forward with grace, building a life filled with warmth and love.