Hello, my name is Roxz (aka Itty). In the shelter, my name was Justine. You might wonder why my nickname is Itty — it’s because I was very tiny when I came to Wisconsin. I was under eight pounds at three months old and so small when I made my journey north.

My journey to Wisconsin was through a local shelter called Lakeland Animal Shelter in Delavan, WI. They help by taking animals from overcrowded, high‑kill shelters in Texas. Dogs like me come to Wisconsin for a second chance at a new life.

I was born in a high‑kill shelter in Texas with three siblings. It’s really hard on any mom dog to raise puppies in a loud, stressful shelter. I’m sure she was scared, trying her best to take care of us.

When me and my siblings were old enough, we got our golden ticket from Lakeland Animal Shelter. We came up on a transport to save our lives and start a new one in Wisconsin. The staff worried about me because I was so tiny compared to my siblings, but I stood my ground and showed them I was strong.

When we arrived at the shelter, we met many different families. When my family met me, my big sister Jasmine fell instantly in love. I’ve been told the volunteer couldn’t put me down fast enough for her. We all fell in love, and I was excited to have a big sister — not knowing I also had a big brother waiting at home.

I went to puppy social classes once a week for a couple of months and made some really good friends who feared the world like I did. When I came home, I cried a lot, and my parents thought I missed my friends. Then I started laying oddly and sitting on my knees, not like a normal dog. My parents were very worried. I went to the vet for x‑rays, and we found out I am special needs. My parents decided no surgery was going to happen because I was born this way, and I learned about life this way.

My hu‑mom wanted to help the animal community after a nonprofit she volunteered for closed its doors. That’s when Roxz’s Resources & Awareness, Inc. was started — and named after me. Why, you ask? Because I am a pit bull‑type dog with special needs, which makes it so much harder to adopt out, especially from a high‑kill shelter. My hu‑mom felt it was very important to educate people about pit bull‑type dogs, special needs animals, and spay/neuter.

I am so honored to have my Best Furry Friend Forever, Dahlia Rose, helping me spread the word about special needs animals.