When animal rescuer Tory Chang spotted a tiny creature shivering in the mud during a rainy drive through a rural area, they had no idea they were about to ignite a mystery that would leave everyone scratching their heads. The little animal, drenched and trembling, was scooped up and placed gently in the warmth of Chang’s car. At first glance, Chang thought she looked like a baby fox. But as the days unfolded, the creature—later named Yoti—would keep rescuers, foster parents, and animal lovers guessing: Was she a fox, a coyote, or a dog?
It wasn’t until months later, with the arrival of DNA test results, that the truth was finally revealed. And by then, Yoti’s story had become one of resilience, wonder, and a fascinating glimpse into the mysteries of the natural world.
A Rainy Night Rescue
The night Yoti was found was cold, muddy, and stormy. Chang, who was used to seeing wildlife dart across roads in rural areas, immediately noticed that this particular animal wasn’t moving as quickly as she should. Instead, she was struggling, almost stuck in the mud, her small body weighed down by rain.
Concerned, Chang pulled over and gently picked her up. Up close, the little creature’s features seemed unusual. Her body was tiny, but her paws and tail seemed larger than expected for such a young fox. Even so, Chang felt certain this was a fox cub and quickly reached out to For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue, a group that specializes in helping injured and orphaned foxes.
When the rescuers received the first blurry photo of Yoti, they were intrigued—and confused.
“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,” the rescue later wrote on Facebook. “But she had markings more like a red fox. We figured we’d get a better look once she got here.”
Chang then drove several hours to deliver the tiny mystery animal to the rescue. What was supposed to be a routine intake became the beginning of an identity puzzle that would baffle everyone involved.
The Confusing Case of Yoti
Once at the rescue center, Yoti drew even more puzzled looks. Her brindle-and-white markings didn’t line up with typical fox traits. Her face seemed dog-like, yet her energy was wilder than any domestic puppy.
The staff debated endlessly: Was she a fox? A coyote? Or could she actually be someone’s lost dog?
Unable to pin down her identity, and because they weren’t equipped to raise what might be a puppy, the rescue placed Yoti in a foster home while they awaited the results of a DNA test. Her foster mom quickly realized this little one was a handful.
“As she’s gotten older, her temperament proved to be too much for a domestic rescue to handle,” the rescue explained.
Her energy wasn’t just “puppy rowdiness”—it was something more primal. She was playful but unpredictable, curious but independent. Over time, it became clear that she might not belong in a typical household.
So Yoti returned to For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue, where her quirks only deepened the mystery.
“Her temperament, paw pad shape and vocalizations are all exactly like a cross between a coyote and a domestic dog,” staff noted. “She must have at least one domestic dog ancestor since brindle markings do not naturally occur in full-blooded coyotes.”
The team waited anxiously for the DNA results, confident they would solve the riddle once and for all.
The DNA Results: Mystery Solved
Finally, the results came in—and they confirmed what rescuers had suspected. Yoti was neither fully coyote nor fully dog, but a coyote-dog hybrid, sometimes known as a “coydog.”
“Yoti does have genetic markers that are unique to domestic dogs and were introduced within the last four generations,” the rescue shared.
While rare, coydogs do exist. These hybrids can occur in the wild, but it’s uncommon for them to survive, especially as pups. Somehow, Yoti had made it through the rainstorm and the dangers of her first weeks alive. Her brindle coat, a trait from her dog ancestry, was the clearest giveaway.
As much as her rescuers adored her, the results meant Yoti could not live as a pet. Her wild instincts were too strong, and her temperament required specialized care. She needed to grow up with an environment that respected her hybrid nature.
A Future in the Wild
With answers finally in hand, rescuers knew where Yoti’s journey would take her next. She was transferred to Walden’s Puddle, a wildlife rehabilitation center equipped to handle unique cases like hers. There, she would grow alongside another “mystery pup” until she was strong and independent enough to return to the wild.
While it was bittersweet for her foster mom and rescuers, they knew it was the best outcome. Yoti’s place wasn’t in a living room or backyard—it was in the forests, fields, and wild spaces where her coyote lineage could thrive.
“Coyote-dog hybrids rarely occur or survive in the wild … But life, uh … finds a way,” the rescue noted, quoting the famous line from Jurassic Park.
Yoti’s journey had started with fear and uncertainty in the rain, but it would end with freedom, strength, and the chance to live as she was meant to.
Yoti’s story captivated everyone who followed it because it revealed just how complex and mysterious nature can be. A single rainy night encounter turned into months of speculation, scientific testing, and soul-searching about where she truly belonged.
For Tory Chang, who pulled her out of the mud, it was a reminder of how powerful one act of compassion can be. For For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue, it was a fascinating case study of the blurred lines between domestic and wild. And for Yoti, it was the beginning of a wild and wonderful life.
