For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue in Chattanooga, Tennessee received a call that couldn’t wait. A small animal had been spotted after a stormy night, soaked through, trembling, and barely hanging on.
Tory Chang was the one who found it. Driving through a rural stretch, she noticed the fragile creature and believed she had stumbled upon a young fox. Without hesitation, she bundled it up, placed it safely in her car, and reached out to the rescue.
When she sent over a photo, the team hesitated. The little one didn’t quite look like a fox.
Still, they agreed to take the baby in, prepared to care for it even though they weren’t entirely sure what species they were about to meet.
Yoti’s Confusing First Days
“We asked the finder for a photo and were instantly a little puzzled because the “fox” looked more like a coyote pup in the face, paws, and tail in the blurry, dark picture we received but had markings more like a red fox,” the wildlife rescue wrote in their Facebook post.
The animal was named Yoti, and the rescue began considering several possibilities. She could have been a mix of domestic breeds like Shepherd and Cur, or perhaps a rare naturally occurring hybrid between a dog and a coyote.
There was no way to know without DNA testing.
Because the rescue could not keep domestic dogs, Yoti was placed with a foster volunteer, Karen Keeton.
Her unusual features sparked a wave of speculation online, with many people trying to determine her background.
“We are 100% positive that she is not a fox, and we’re certain she has at least one domestic dog ancestor. We know this because her markings are brindle, which are tied to specific genes that do not naturally occur in full-blooded coyotes,” the wildlife rescue wrote in their post.
As the weeks passed, Yoti’s behavior became challenging. She was too wild for a home environment, yet she did not act like a typical domestic puppy. Eventually, she returned to the wildlife facility.
“Her temperament, paw pad shape, and vocalizations are all exactly like a cross between a coyote and a domestic dog, but we won’t be able to confirm exactly what she is until we’ve seen her DNA test results,” the rescue said.
DNA Results Bring A Clear Answer
After weeks of waiting, the DNA test results were finally ready.
People had guessed fox, mixed breed dog, or coyote hybrid. The answer was not what many expected.
“Yoti does have genetic markers that are unique to domestic dogs and were introduced within the last 4 generations. Coyote-domestic dog hybrids rarely occur or survive in the wild because their reproductive cycles don’t generally line up and because domestic dog dads are deadbeats who don’t help raise the young. But life, uh… finds a way,” said in the post.
According to the results, Yoti’s great-great-grandparent was most likely a domestic dog, possibly a Shepherd-type mix. Over several generations, that ancestry blended into wild coyote lines, producing Yoti’s distinctive appearance.
Even with this distant domestic connection, both of Yoti’s parents were wild coyotes. She will be raised as a wild animal.
The team arranged for her transfer to Walden’s Puddle, a wildlife rehabilitation and education center in Joelton, Tennessee.
Once Yoti is old enough and fully prepared to survive on her own, she will be released back into the wild where she naturally belongs.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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