Now that Axel has begun a happier chapter in his life, all he wants is someone to share it with.
Since December 2023, the dog has been under the care of Ollie’s Angels Animal Rescue. “After a journey filled with heartbreaking hardship and incredible resilience, Axel ended up at this foster-based rescue in Long Island, New York,” explains Melissa Bielawski, founder of Ollie’s.
Axel was a stray in South Carolina before arriving at Ollie’s and fell victim to a trap.
He got caught in a trap and had to bit off the tip of his foot to get out. After that, he was brought to a high-kill shelter in South Carolina, where Bielawski told PEOPLE that because of his severe injuries, he was put on the list for immediate euthanasia.
Fortunately, the South Carolina shelter contacted Ollie’s to ask for assistance before putting Axel to death.
We felt he didn’t deserve to die when the shelter reached out to us because of the tenderness in his eyes. We chose to give Axel the opportunity he deserved because he had the courage to escape the trap, even though we knew he would require costly medical treatment, Bielawski continued.
Although Axel didn’t have much of a past when he got to Ollie’s, the rescue thinks his early years were lonely.
He was quite underweight, had cut ears, and tested positive for heartworm, which is lethal if left untreated. To survive, he most likely had to scrounge. Whether intentionally or accidentally, his foot eventually got caught in a trap, which brought him to the high-kill shelter, Bielawski recounted.
When he got there, Axel was prepared to make friends despite his health issues and lack of affection.
Even though his leg hurt, Bielawski revealed that he had a deep affection for cuddles and kisses from birth and was content with anyone who offered them.
Axel received the necessary medical attention from Ollie’s, including surgery to amputate a portion of his wounded leg and treatment for heartworm.
He tore the ACL in his only rear leg during the healing process after the amputation, most likely due to additional strain. According to Bielawski, he had physical treatment, which included hydrotherapy, after having ACL surgery.
Axel was courageous, understanding, and trustworthy throughout it all, and he never stopped being thankful for his rescue and love.
He went from being a sick, frail, and extremely thin dog to a lively, self-assured puppy that uses his donated wheelchair to go around.
He relishes the freedom that comes with his movement! Axel is serene, kind, and affectionate. All he wants is to be treated with respect. Bielawski claimed that he treats young puppies with particular gentleness, treating them as if they were his own.
Even after a year, Axel still hasn’t found a permanent home, which surprises Ollie’s staff.
When Axel is listed for a long time, people may assume that anything is amiss or that he has failed adoptions. According to Bielawski, the unfortunate reality is that he hasn’t gotten any applications. There are difficulties with being a tripod, such as needing assistance in transportation and not being able to climb stairs completely. When boosted into a car, Axel enjoys receiving more attention and doesn’t mind sleeping on the first floor.
Ollie hopes that the ideal adopter for Axel will find him.
He needs someone who can build a step or who is strong enough to lift him in and out of the car. He doesn’t require much walking, and sporadic trips to the vet or excursions are acceptable. Axel doesn’t need to share a bed because he sleeps fine by himself. “He needs to be the only dog or with smaller companions because he doesn’t do well with cats or big dogs,” Bielawski explained.
Since Axel deserves nothing less than the finest, it is crucial that he finds a home where he is genuinely loved.
Whoever adopts him will receive a grateful, happy, and loving soul.
We want people to realize that rescue dogs aren’t flawed. They have experienced adversity and human disappointment. According to Bielawski, rescue dogs are appreciative of their rescue because they genuinely know what it means.
