Axel

Axel - There is a mile-long series of junkyards east of Austin on Highway 71. The yards are homes to owned and abandoned animals. In 3 years, we removed about 60 abandoned dogs and cats from these junkyards. During that time we developed a rapport with several of the yard owners.

One day, Amado, a junkyard owner, called to ask if I could help his dog. I knew the dog was in dire circumstances for Amado to call. I picked up my 7-year-old niece Madison (she wants to be an animal cop when she grows up.) Together, we rushed to the junkyard. Upon arrival, Amado walked us to a sweltering tin building, where a black German Shepherd puppy was curled on the gravel. The dog's rear leg was bleeding and swollen 3 times its normal size. The leg looked like a black balloon with toes. A heavy metal chain lay in a heap next to the puppy. Amado explained that he'd chained the dog for the weekend and returned to find the dog tangled. The chain kinked around the dog's right rear leg. I asked Amado if he had the money to fix the dog. “No,” he said regrettably. I told him I would take the dog, but unless he could pay the medical bills, the puppy was mine. Amado agreed and I took the pup to a vet. We expected that tissue and nerve damage would force the vet to amputate the leg. But the sweet-natured pup kept his leg and we named him Axel.

Axel was about 5 months old—a pensive, smart boy with radar-like ears, a silky black coat and long legs. He quickly learned to run, jump and play. Exercise was part of his therapy and he loved it, especially when it involved fetching his favorite raccoon toy! Axel soon found a permanent home with a family who owned another rescued black German Shepherd.