Imagine the despair Roxi, a four-year-old English Mastiff, felt when her owner tied her to a light pole and left her on the side of a Long Island highway. She could only watch helplessly as he turned away and disappeared, taking away her trust and home in a single moment. Heartbroken and scared, she began to yelp, hoping that someone would show her kindness and rescue her from this dire situation.
Roxi’s Hero Comes To Her Aid
Ray Quinones, a Garden City Sanitation worker, was driving to work when he spotted Roxi tied to the pole. Shocked, he immediately stopped and approached her, hearing her desperate yelps for help. While Roxi initially felt comforted by his presence, she grew nervous as he drew closer. To avoid scaring her, Quinones maintained his distance while noting a bowl of food nearby. He called the police and kept her company until help arrived, providing Roxi with a sense of security in her moment of distress.
When officers arrived and untied Roxi, they discovered a note next to the food bowl stating: “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.” They took her to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, where she was examined. Fortunately, aside from being underweight, Roxi was in good health.
The authorities were horrified that Roxi had been abandoned near such a busy highway and promptly opened an investigation to locate her owner. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly stated, “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.” Eventually, they succeeded in finding and arresting the individual responsible for tying her up and leaving her behind.
Roxi Turns Her Life Around
Despite her trauma, Roxi maintained a sweet disposition and tried to adapt to life in the shelter, coming to terms with her lost family. Her story resonated with many across the U.S., leading to multiple families wanting to adopt her. John and Sandy Reeve, who had recently lost their Mastiff, Hannah, to illness, were particularly struck when they saw Roxi on TV, as she resembled their beloved pet. Although the shelter initially paused new applications, they made an exception after hearing the Reeves’ story, allowing them to apply.
During their meet-and-greet, Roxi and the Reeves took a walk together. Despite her fear of men due to her previous experiences, Roxi felt a special connection with Mr. Reeve. “When I sat down, she came, put her head on my lap and slobbered me up,” he recounted in an interview with The Suffolk Times.
The shelter staff recognized Roxi’s bond with the Reeves, and they officially adopted her on July 15th, 2024, welcoming her into their home in Aquebogue, New York. As soon as Roxi arrived, she radiated joy.
Today, Roxi enjoys her dream life, expressing gratitude to her loving family and relishing her time racing around their three-acre waterfront property. Her remarkable journey serves as a heartwarming reminder that despite a painful past, happiness and love can prevail.
