Written by Megan Panton of MuttMix
Professional photography by Nat Gold ZA
Some stories don’t begin with a plan… they begin with a moment.
A moment where a scared soul is seen, picked up, and given a second chance.
Axel’s journey started on the streets – uncertain, vulnerable, and searching for safety. But what followed is the kind of story that reminds us exactly why rescue changes everything.
From a nervous boy who was too afraid to even step inside a home, to a fiercely loyal protector, a goofy “snail-hearing” watchdog, and the ultimate love bug – Axel’s transformation is nothing short of extraordinary.
It’s a story of patience, healing, heartbreak, and a bond so deep it defies words.
And just when you think you know him, his MuttMix DNA reveals a beautifully complex mix that makes his personality make even more sense. Because Axel isn’t just a rescue – he’s a masterpiece of resilience, loyalty, and love.
This one will make you smile, maybe tear up a little… and definitely remind you why every mutt has magic in their DNA.
Keep reading to meet Axel, the street survivor turned soulmate.
Tracey Faught, Axel’s owner, shares...
Axel was found running in the streets, and a kind man by the name of Greg Albert picked him up and took him to a vet where he was checked out and sterilised. Greg then posted on social media for a foster as he had dogs of his own and couldn’t keep him. My friend Mandy Hawkins saw the post and asked me to foster him until he found a home, knowing full well that, once I took him in, he’d be mine forever!
The vet said he was a mixed breed and couldn’t guess his DNA heritage. I introduced him to my fur girl Sasha and they got along famously, and so – needless to say – I decided to give him his furever home. He was estimated to be just a year old when I got him and he’s now eight years old.
Initially he was very nervous and terrified of loud noises and brooms, mops, etc. It took me almost a week to get him to actually come inside my house and for him to know it was okay to be inside. Loud noises on the TV or bangs made him shiver with fear.
He went through about three months of abandonment syndrome whenever I left for work and would try to escape, hurting himself badly on two occasions which required vet visits and stitches. I called in a trainer to assist and, with a lot of love and care, he eventually started to settle in after about six months and is no longer scared of brooms or mops. He’s still petrified of thunder, fireworks or bangs and I have to put a thunder wrap on him and give him calming tablets, but I believe he’s happy now as he’s morphed into a real love bug who’ll snuggle right up to me for some love and affection.
He fiercely protects me and had to be slowly introduced and supervised when I rescued two other dogs after my girl Sasha passed away. He and I were both heartbroken. Axel was clearly depressed for two weeks, so although I didn’t feel ready, I had to get him a new companion – and he bonded very closely with her (Luna).
More recently (in November) I rescued another girl and he’s still learning to tolerate her and is teaching her boundaries.
He’s not social with other dogs at all, especially males, and will hit level 12/10 when he sees another dog.
My affectionate names for him are Waxy or Axy-Bax, and I absolutely adore his unique character. He can be silly and goofy at times and makes me laugh. I often say that if he hears a snail fart in a tree he’ll bark, so he’s vocal but extremely alert. I’ve trained him on basic commands.
On one occasion he cornered a burglar in the yard of where I’d been previously staying and frightened the burglar away, which definitely shows some of his genetic makeup. I’ve learnt to discern his different barks, so I know when to pay attention and when he’s just being vocal. There are no words for me to describe the amount of love and loyalty he has, and he and I have an extremely close and special bond.
Axel’s MuttMix Results:
15% Perro de Presa Canario
13% Boxer
11% Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
11% Italian Greyhound
10% Greyhound
10% Staffordshire Bull Terrier
10% English Shepherd
10% Bulldog
10% Chinese Shar-Pei
Needless to say, I was thrilled to win the MuttMix DNA test through the competition run by Starlight Media, and his results have given me so much insight into my boy!
