Story by Rebecca West
Roll out the red carpet. Adjust the spotlight. There’s a new top dog in town, and that’s Malachi, the winner of The Tucson Dog Magazine’s 2026 Holiday Cover Dog Contest!
As readers know, each year we hold a holiday cover dog competition with the winner gracing the cover of our November-December issue. As usual, we had a number of stellar pups entered, making the selection of a winner tough going, with all the handsome gents and pretty ladies in the running.
Fortunately, introducing you to the winner was made a lot easier by Malachi’s mom, Shelby Brawley, who happens to be one of the founders behind Hoofsnhorns Farm Sanctuary, a mother-daughter-run farm-animal rescue here in Tucson specializing in special needs, unwanted, abandoned, and neglected animals.
Like most pet parents, Shelby was excited to share her and Malachi’s origin story with us. So, sit back, get comfy, and meet not only the winner but the four runners-up in this cozy read!
To begin, Malachi was one of eight puppies born to a pair of strays living across the border. A neighbor became concerned about them after several of their litters died of parvovirus. Being a kind soul and dog lover, he decided to reach out for help.
He found someone in Tucson willing to aid them. They fostered for a local dog rescue that agreed to bring them to Tucson to safely settle in before delivering the babies in a stable, secure foster home. The little family grew to 10 when the mama dog, Rose, had eight fluffy little furballs! Luckily, the foster home had a spacious bathroom.
Once the puppies were healthy and starting to eat on their own, Charlie, the dad, and Rose were both altered, and everyone started a series of vaccinations to keep the entire family healthy. The next hurdle was finding each baby a special home to wait for them until they were spayed and neutered.
The sanctuary had recently lost their beloved shepherd, Ed, who had been founder and manager, devoted canine companion, and daily sanctuary helper for several years. As fate would have it, the foster family asked Shelby if she would like to meet the puppies.
She understandably hesitated, thinking it was too soon. She knew there were enough mouths to feed, but she later heard the name Malachi in her head. Spurred on, she decided to contact the foster family. Fearing they would think she was just plain crazy, she told them about her auditory experience and asked if they would say the name to see if any of the pups happened to respond.
A few days later, she got a video of what she described as one big, clumsy fella in a purple Velcro collar ambling over when the name was called!
The next week, the Sanctuary team visited the babies. Shelby sat on the floor, “filled with rolling furry bear cubs,” as she put it, and soon the one with the purple Velcro collar came to lie beside her. “That big, fluffy, goofy pup named Malachi chose Hoofsnhorns Farm Sanctuary to be his forever home.”
Sadly, Malachi’s life struggles weren’t over.
At about one year old, while playing with another dog at the sanctuary, he sustained a minor ear injury that not only left the ear permanently damaged but led to his developing an infection deep inside the ear canal that he would reportedly battle for years. “Side effects from one medication knocked out his back end, and he had to add physical therapy to his daily regimen. He recovered but still has some hind-end weakness,” Shelby said.
She encouraged him every day to keep fighting, telling him he could be a working dog. Always happy, still fighting, she said he never gave up.
Within days of finally being free of twice-daily meds, wound care, bandages, the dreaded cone, and even regular laser treatment, this big handsome guy was standing at the back door ready for duty!
Shelby explained, “At first, I didn’t understand what he was asking. He was just waiting at the door one morning. My mom said, ‘Well, you promised him.’ He wanted to go out with me! Trotting out happily, he toured the sanctuary grounds, meeting up with a few goats he recognized from being raised inside with him, and he just seemed to already know what to do.”
Never more than a few feet away, Shelby says Malachi loves helping with the sanctuary work, playing with his favorite goat friend, and is ready to go any time the farm truck door opens. He clocks out midday to spend the afternoon on the couch and sleeps in the doorway as if he’s worried she might go out without him.
Malachi celebrated his 9th birthday in August, and his family hopes for many more healthy, happy years with this truly dedicated, battle-worn canine companion! hoofsnhornsfarm.org
And now for the runners-up, in the order they placed.
Eddie Spaghetti
A well-traveled rescue pup, Eddie was picked up in Texas, transported to a rescue in NJ, adopted by his human in PA, and made his way to Tucson with his forever human to enjoy desert living. He’s a friend to EVERYONE he meets and was a confident and gentle foster brother to PACC pal Bailey when she lived with us for a year. All his friends will attest that he is the most easygoing and happy pup you’ll ever meet.
He has a heart murmur, but his human says it’s probably just because his little heart is just BRIMMING with love! He came so close to winning last time, and we’re delighted to see him back at it! His favorite activities include going on sniffaris, receiving belly rubs, making new friends, and snuggling. Favorite snacks include peanut butter, ice cream, and chewies.
Shelby
This is Shelby! Sweet, adorable Shelby is 2 years old. She participated in the cover dog contest last year but didn’t make the cover! Her background story is that her mom got her from a friend who needed to find her a good home. Shelby is a very sassy, bossy girl who loves to go for car rides. Her favorite places to visit are the park to watch the ducks and to get doggy ice cream at Bark ‘n Berry. She likes hanging with her best bud, Ms. Cow (another canine), her kitty sister, Daphney, and her cuddly collection of Lamb Chop toys. Quite the little miss, she also loves getting dolled up with frills and bows and super fun girly outfits.
Little Sophie
This 14-year-old rescue Chihuahua came to her mom from PACC as a two-year-old stray. They were very lucky to adopt her, and she has been part of our family for the past 12 years.
Sophie has always been an active, joyful girl who thrives in Tucson. She adores children—if she hears a little voice, she immediately wants to go be with them.
Since 2015, she has served as a certified therapy dog, visiting preschoolers at a children’s shelter, schools, memory-care facilities, hospice, the Air Force base, major hospitals, and more. She also earned her AKC Rally Advanced title. These days, her regular visits are at the Tucson Medical Center (TMC), where she brightens the days of both little kids and adults. Sophie is a happy, fun-loving little girl with a very big heart—whether she’s visiting little kids at TMC or soaking up attention from college students at the University of Arizona.
Arctic
Beautiful blue-eyed Arctic was a stray who ended up in a couple of PACC foster homes before finding her furever home. A beagle-husky mix, her energy is something to behold. From the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes to sleep, she’s happy. Her mom says that even while she’s sleeping, you can tell her heart is content with joy. Some of her favorite things include not deciding which toy she wants to play with and then playing with all of them at the same time. She also loves to run around and loves playing tug-of-war with her best friend Simba, who lives next door.Meet Malachi, The Tucson Dog Magazine’s 2026 Holiday Cover Dog Winner!
