Xena and Jonny – A Miracle of Empathy
A boy with autism and a dog once abused and left to die – two lives marked by hardship, yet fate brought them together to create a story of hope and kindness.
Xena, a 4-month-old puppy, was rescued in Dekalb County, Georgia, in a near-death state—starved, injured, and severely dehydrated. Veterinarians believed her chance of survival was “a hundred to one.” But against all odds, Xena recovered, and her story soon reached local media.
When Linda Hickey, 44, learned about Xena, she felt an instant bond and decided to adopt her, despite her husband’s concerns. The Hickeys already had two dogs, and their 9-year-old son Jonny struggled with severe autism. For years, Jonny barely spoke, smiled, or interacted with anyone. But within just two months of Xena’s arrival, everything changed.
From the very first car ride home, Xena leapt into Jonny’s lap and showered him with kisses. Since then, they’ve been inseparable. Jonny began laughing, talking, and opening up in ways his family had never seen before. His progress brought tears of joy to his parents.
“Xena and Jonny were meant for each other,” Linda said. “There’s a deep, unexplainable connection between them—they truly need one another.”
Xena was saved from death, but in return, she gave a boy with autism a new chance at life.