There wasn’t much reason for Lucky to feel happy about his life. For as long as he could remember, he had been passed around from one family to another. Every owner he ever had seemed to treat him poorly, never showing him the love and care he deserved. Despite his gentle heart, Lucky was always met with rejection.

Born in a puppy mill, Lucky never got to experience the comfort of a loving home. He was seen as unwanted from the very beginning. Because of a facial deformity, he didn’t look like most other dogs, and that alone made people turn away. His face made him “different,” and in the harsh world of buying and selling puppies, different often means disposable.

Over time, Lucky became just another dog being given away for free, passed from person to person like an afterthought. He never had the chance to build a bond or feel like he belonged. No one kept him for long. They’d lose interest, become uncomfortable, or decide he didn’t fit their idea of what a “good dog” should be.

His most recent home was in Austin, Texas. There, things took a turn for the worse. The family he lived with barely acknowledged him. Instead, they tied him up outside, leaving him exposed to the elements day and night. He wasn’t given proper food, water, or shelter. The family’s cats didn’t like him, so they kept him out of the house altogether.

When that family decided to move, they didn’t think twice about what would happen to Lucky. Their solution was simple—they contacted a local animal shelter and arranged to leave him behind. Until they moved, he stayed tied up in the yard, waiting for a future that seemed uncertain at best.

The shelter worked hard to find him a home, but it wasn’t easy. Lucky’s appearance caused hesitation in most potential adopters. One family agreed to take him, only to change their minds when they saw him in person. Time after time, people judged him for his face without taking the time to see the sweet dog underneath.

But then, everything changed because of a social media post. A volunteer at the shelter took the time to groom Lucky, clean him up, and snap a few photos. She shared his story online, hoping someone might see past his looks. That’s when Jamie Hult saw the post—and her heart immediately went out to him.

Jamie had been involved in dog rescues before, so she knew just how unfair life could be for dogs like Lucky. She didn’t hesitate. She picked up the phone and told her contact at the shelter, “I want that dog. I don’t want to foster him—I want to adopt him.”

When Jamie first brought Lucky home, he was in terrible condition. Years of neglect had taken their toll. He was malnourished, covered in fleas and worms, and had no microchip. He was so weak he spent his first week in an oxygen tank at the vet’s office. The vet bills piled up quickly. Jamie spent $8,000 on his treatment, including an MRI to figure out why he was struggling so much.

“He was nothing but skin and bones,” Jamie recalled. “I told my vet, ‘I don’t care what it costs. Just do what you have to do to save him.’”

Lucky came close to dying more than once during those first few weeks. But Jamie never gave up. Thanks to her determination—and some amazing veterinary care—Lucky pulled through. Slowly but surely, he began to heal.

Today, Lucky is a completely different dog. He’s happy, healthy, and full of life. Jamie describes him as playful, curious, and affectionate. She loves him exactly the way he is, even if strangers sometimes make rude comments about his face.

“At first, people would laugh or stare when they saw him,” Jamie said. “So I started making him cute ties to wear, just to give people something else to focus on.”

Jamie also gave Lucky a new name—Beaux Tox. “It’s kind of a joke because people say he looks like he needs botox,” she explained. “But beauty comes in all forms, and he’s beautiful to me.”

Beaux Tox is now an important member of Jamie’s family. He helps care for other animals, including kittens and even baby skunks that Jamie fosters. “He’s so gentle,” Jamie said. “He’s fascinated by everything, even tarantulas! He just loves life.”

Jamie’s story with Beaux Tox is a powerful reminder not to judge a book by its cover. Every animal deserves love, no matter what they look like on the outside.

If this heartwarming story touched you, share it with your friends and family to celebrate Lucky’s (now Beaux Tox’s) journey from neglect to unconditional love.