Roxy’s journey to her forever home began at Santa Clara County Animal Shelter. Like so many municipal shelters across the Bay Area, they were stretched beyond capacity and turned to HSSV’s Regional Rescue Program to help. That’s how Kaycee, as she was then called, made her way to HSSV. She arrived with a hygroma—an elbow swelling that develops when dogs spend too much time resting on hard surfaces. While not painful, it was a reminder of the tough start she’d had.

What she needed most was a soft place to land, and a family ready to love her through life’s ups and downs.

When Kaycee met Sandra and Matthew this summer, she didn’t just find a new address—she found her people. Renamed Roxy, she’s been busy turning everyday moments into little celebrations ever since.

Settling In, Finding Calm

Those first days at home were big. If one person stepped out, Roxy’s anxiety spiked—she’d hop onto furniture or cry at the door, unsure if her new world would stay steady. With patience, routine, and lots of reassurance, the worry faded. Now, when someone leaves, she relaxes. The meds they started with were gone by day three, and a consistent training plan—recall, no jumping, and learning to “chill” at home—has Roxy shining just a few weeks in.

“To sum up how she’s changed our lives—we feel a renewed sense of happiness for knowing we saved her and accepting all the love she is giving us.”

Small Joys, Big Personality

Roxy’s favorite treat? Ice cubes. After a walk or a backyard zoom, she heads straight to the freezer and waits—politely but pointedly—for her crunchy “icy treat.”
Mornings bring a different kind of ritual: a joyful tail-thump against the bedframe, a careful climb, and then a blissed-out sprawl on a shared pillow, belly up and completely content.

She’s also a connoisseur of comfort and play—though two beds and a batch of toys have already “retired” in the line of duty. New favorites arrive often; the love of play remains constant.

Discovering the World Together

At the shoreline in Martinez, Roxy paused to listen to the splash of waves—ears forward, curiosity wide open. Back home, she’s an enthusiastic squirrel watcher (and aspiring chaser), living her best life in the yard before circling back to her people with a proud grin.

Six weeks in, Sandra and Matthew say she’s learning quickly, settling deeply, and making it very clear how excited she is to see them—every single time.

“We feel so lucky to have Roxy… she keeps us on our toes and gives us so much love.”

Recently, Roxy celebrated her first birthday—the first of many, surrounded by the people who adore her, a growing list of training wins, and the kind of everyday routines that make a family.

Want to meet more pets waiting for their people? Visit hssv.org/adopt.