Love reunited a soldier and the pup she rescued

While deployed overseas, Staff Sgt. Andrea Taulton rescued a disabled dog and kept him safe, fed and loved for weeks. So when she got orders to return to the U.S., I can't...I won't... leave him behind! her heart vowed

- Gina Roberts-Grey

Staff Sergeant Andrea Taulton was on deployment overseas with the U.S. Army National Guard in September of 2022 when, one day, while driving back to her base, she spotted a dog limping across the roadway. He’s going to get hit by a car, she worried. And he was clearly already injured. I can’t watch this animal be hurt again—or worse.

Pulling over, Andrea rescued the pup—a German shepherd that was barely out of puppyhood. “Poor baby, what happened to you?” she gasped as he lay down at her feet. The dog had an injured hind leg and his front paws seemed to be deformed. He couldn’t even stand on them. He’d been walking on his wrists.

Andrea desperately wanted to stay with her new friend—she even named him Axel—but she had to return to base. But before leaving him, she gathered some food from her truck and made a bed of leaves for him far away from the road. Tears stained Andrea’s face as she kissed his head, promising she would try to return. Please let him be safe, she prayed.

Unbreakable bond

The next day, Andrea was able to return to check on him and was relieved to find Axel nestled safely in his makeshift home. Her heart swelled as she approached and he greeted her with a wagging tail and kisses.