Hartz Honors Foxy as the Hero Hartz 2003

The Hartz Mountain Corporation honors Huntington , New York 's Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center, former shelter dog Foxy, and her owner Joan Maguire at the 2 nd Annual Heroes of Hartz gala event on May 14, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Battery Park, New York City.

The prestigious Heroes of Hartz Award, which celebrates the Human-Animal Bond, is given each year to honor animals, organizations and people who have experienced or partaken in something extraordinary. This year's honorees exemplify dedication, courage and love between a dog and her human friends.

On the frigid night of January 18, 2003, Joan Maguire of Fort Salonga, NY prepared to take her faithful companion, Foxy, for a walk, despite the bone-chilling 6 ° F temperature and darkness. On their way outside, 82 year-old Mrs. Maguire slipped down the stairs outside her home and broke her hip. For an hour and a half, Foxy covered Mrs. Maguire with her own body to keep her warm and barked frantically. Neighbors responded to the barking and sought the much-needed help for Mrs. Maguire.

Foxy was able to save Mrs. Maguire's life because of the caring volunteers at Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center who had first saved Foxy's life. Volunteers found Foxy at a municipal pound, where she was slated to be put to sleep. The pretty pit-bull mix had been hit by a car and left with a badly broken leg. Little Shelter's veterinarian performed three surgeries on Foxy and saved her leg. In October 2002, after 16 months at the shelter, she found her new best friend and owner, Joan Maguire.

Little Shelter has created "The Foxy Fund" to benefit older homeless dogs and their special needs. Hartz has pledged a significant contribution to that fund in honor of Foxy's love and courage.