I rescued Axel when he was 10 months old, I was 19 and I’d wanted a German Shepherd for as long as I can remember. So when I had the chance to adopt his beautiful soul, I jumped at it. I fell in love with him the second I met him, as he did me, there was absolutely no way I was leaving without him.

Especially not after seeing what terrible condition he was kept in, he was quite literally skin and bone who looked like he would collapse at any point. His previous owner openly admitted to starving him to reduce his energy levels, the type of person who should never own a dog.

When I brought him home he loved anyone and anything, he was just so happy to be alive and in a new home with a new family and doggy siblings. He couldn’t climb onto couches or beds, walk up the stairs and would cry while trying to catch up to the other dogs running freely because his little legs just couldn’t keep up. But none of that ever stopped him trying, his spirit wouldn’t let him quit.

He would get injured easily but the vets repeatedly told me to rest him, so I decided to take him to hydrotherapy which helped grow his muscle and maintain a healthy body weight.

Axel has just turned 5 and is still a puppy at heart but recently started to show signs of lameness and pain. X-rays showed a nasty case of hip dysplasia and arthritis. After discussing the next steps with a specialist he needs a double hip replacement which unfortunately isn’t all covered on insurance.

Adopting Axel changed my life for the better, he saved me as much as I saved him. He deserves a second chance in life, so I will do all that I can to make it happen. He is my first ever dog and he will always be apart of me.

Any contributions or shares will be appreciated.

Thank you for reading,

Holly & Axel❤️