When a poor puppy was found, she was so emaciated and skeletal, she was given only a 1% chance of survival.

The scene her rescuers found was unlike any they had ever experienced, clearly the innocent puppy had been the victim of the worst treatment and was torn between life and death.

The puppy, named Xena, was just skin and bones.

Everyone who saw her pictures when she was rescued after being thrown in the cruelest way onto a road was truly horrified.

Xena was found by Creek Animal Services in Creek, Georgia, USA, in such a pitiful physical condition that those responsible for her rescue burst into tears at the sight of her.

Poor little Xena, only 4 months old, was on the verge of starvation. For she had spent much of her short life in a cage before she was dumped like a roadside discard.

She weighed just 2.5 kg when she arrived at the animal shelter.

But, thanks to the endless and loving care of all the volunteers, she began to recover quickly.

However, her condition was still delicate, so the volunteers created a Facebook page to document and share the story of little “Xena, the warrior puppy,” and to ask for help from the entire community.

Kind souls from all over the world began sending donations to help this brave puppy.

Soon, Xena was nicknamed the “miracle dog”, because her life itself is already a miracle, and her rescue and recovery, truly incredible. But, her great survival story didn’t end there.

Some time later, the animal shelter created a foundation in Xena’s honor. The goal is to raise the money and means necessary to change stories like Xena’s, who was already strong enough to thank the good people who helped her.

That’s how Grant and Linda Hickey, of Johns Creek, showed up at the foundation, and sweet Xena was captivated by them. The couple had a little boy diagnosed with severe autism, to the point that he never socialized or spoke.

Although they already had experience with dogs, they really ventured to adopt Xena, since little Johnny had no emotional bond with anyone, neither with his parents, nor with their other pets.

Linda relates that she didn’t even prepare Jonny for Xena’s arrival home. The little guy waited in the car, and when Xena climbed in for the first time, what they witnessed was a true miracle.

“Immediately, Xena climbed on his legs, started licking him, and Jonny was letting her. Within seconds, he was telling her he loved her,” Linda said through tears.

Somehow, when Linda saw Xena at the shelter and after following her entire story on the interwebs, she knew that her son and the little dog were fated to save each other.

Xena’s presence and love had such a positive influence on the little boy, that he began to talk, and to come out of his shell, and out of the deep abyss from which he would hardly have come out without her help.

Now Jonny talks all the time with Xena, and they have become inseparable best friends and accomplices in mischief, supporting each other in everything they do.

From their Facebook page, together they continue to spread a message of compassion for both animals and people with autism around the globe.

Although Xena’s life is marked by a cruel past, today she blesses Jonny’s life and his parents can only celebrate the miracle they thought would never come into their lives.

Xena, for her part, lives happy, grateful and proud to have survived by miracle to become the savior of a little boy who needed her so much. This beautiful story teaches us to overcome any adversity and turn small opportunities into great victories.