This story is an entrant in the Fur-Ever Family Photo & Story Contest. Voting runs through December 31. Three grand prize winners will each receive $500 in cash and $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. See all the entrants and finalists here!

My husband and I have been married for five years. I have been unable to have a child, so we decided to adopt a rescue dog from Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue. We didn’t know what was missing from our family until we adopted Roxy! She completes our family.

PHOTO: JENNIFER STROSNIDER

Roxy and her four siblings were found abandoned in Texas. Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue stepped in to rescue the puppies and place them in a foster home. Now she lives the life of a queen. I speak about her to friends and family like she is my daughter. My coworkers voted me as “Most likely to treat my dog as my child”.

My favorite memory is when we took her to have her picture taken with Santa last year. She was a well-behaved little girl. She wore a cute dress and took an adorable photo with Santa! She even looks like she is smiling in the picture.

PHOTO: JENNIFER STROSNIDER

We took her on her very first vacation this past August. We went to a pet friendly bed-and-breakfast. We all had a wonderful time! Roxy also attends doggy daycare on days where we are both working away from home. She really enjoys playing with her friends at doggy daycare!

Roxy has never met a toy that she didn’t like. She really enjoys BarkBox delivery days. She knows that the box is for her. She is one spoiled little girl, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

PHOTO: JENNIFER STROSNIDER

This story was submitted by Jennifer Strosnider, in support of Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue. To see other Fur-Ever Family Photo & Story Contest submissions, click here!