Story #55: Moxie’s Fighting Chance
As told by Christa Oody, Volunteer Engagement Manager
Working at Anderson Humane, I meet a lot of puppies.
I see them arrive, grow, heal, and head off to their loving homes. I love them all.
But every once in a while, one settles into your heart before you even realize it.
In late 2024, a litter of puppies and their mom arrived at the shelter. I kept in close contact with their foster family, asking for updates and photos. My husband and I kept going back and forth about one particular puppy, the tiny black apple girl. There was just something about her.
We were not sure if we were ready. But we could not stop thinking about her.
On December 31, she was diagnosed with ringworm.
That meant isolation and weeks of treatment. Even though I understood the process, waiting felt hard. We could only catch glimpses of her while she completed treatment.
She finally finished and was cleared for adoption on February 11. We were thrilled. The wait had been longer than we expected, but she was healthy and ready.
Adoption day was everything we hoped it would be. My husband took one look at her, and it was love at first sight. We brought her home and surprised our kids, who had no idea we were adding to our family. The joy on their faces is something I will never forget.
We named her Moxie. It fit her perfectly. She was curious, bold, and already showing a spark that made us smile.
Three days later, on February 14, everything changed.
Moxie stopped eating. She became lethargic and withdrawn. As much as I tried to stay calm, I knew in my gut something was wrong. The veterinary team at Anderson Humane moved immediately.
The diagnosis came back on Valentine’s Day.
Parvo.
When you hear that word, your heart drops. You think about the statistics. You think about the puppies who do not survive. I remember feeling scared in a way I was not prepared for.
Moxie became the first puppy at Anderson Humane to receive Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody treatment.
This was a newer medication designed to target the virus directly rather than relying solely on supportive care.
Within 24 hours, we started to see changes. She lifted her head. She showed interest in food. The spark we had fallen in love with began flickering again.
Instead of a long and uncertain hospital stay, she responded quickly. On February 25, she was released from veterinary care.
Walking her out that day felt like bringing home a miracle.
A couple of weeks later, she was fully back to her mischievous puppy self.
Running through the house.
Wrestling with Kendall.
Getting into things she should not.
Every zoomie feels like a celebration. Every cuddle feels earned.
I truly believe this treatment saved Moxie and spared our family from heartbreak. It gave her a real fighting chance.
Working at Anderson Humane, I see the dedication every day.
The willingness to invest in new treatments.
The urgency in the medical team’s response.
The commitment to doing everything possible for every single animal.
But experiencing it as a mom, watching our puppy fight and recover, changed me.
Today, Moxie is thriving.
She is loud.
She is playful.
She is everything a puppy should be.
And every time I look at her, I am reminded that innovation, compassion, and quick action do not just save lives. They protect families, too.
Do you have a story about how Anderson Humane changed your life?
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Ready to start your own rescue story?
Meet adoptable animals at Anderson Humane by visiting ahconnects.org/adopt, or help make the next 60 stories possible by donating in honor of our 60th Anniversary.
