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Beaux Tox’s journey from rejection to love is a heartwarming tale about looking beyond physical appearances. When Jamie Hulit first saw a photo of this Labrador with a distinctively wrinkled face, she knew immediately she wanted to give him a forever home. Despite his unusual appearance, Beaux’s wagging tail and joyful demeanor revealed his true loving nature that would soon change both their lives forever.
The dog with the unforgettable face
Beaux Tox was born with a facial deformity that made him stand out from his littermates. During his development in his mother’s womb, his six siblings took up most of the space, forcing him to grow in cramped conditions. This resulted in a sunken skull and closely set eyes that gave him a perpetually furrowed brow – a stark contrast to his cheerful personality.
“He was pushed out of the way and formed as he formed, but it has nothing to do with his intelligence,” Jamie explained to The Dodo. Medical examinations confirmed that Beaux’s cranial deformation didn’t affect his cognitive abilities or prevent him from potentially living a long, healthy life.
Because of his unusual appearance, breeders couldn’t sell him and instead gave him away for free. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of Beaux’s difficult journey. The man who first took him in soon banished the dog to the backyard when he didn’t get along with the household cats. For five long years, Beaux (then called Lucky) remained outdoors, severely neglected and without even basic comforts like a proper dog bed.
Several local rescue groups attempted to intervene, but after spending his entire life confined to a small yard without training or guidance, Beaux was repeatedly returned to the same backyard. His story mirrors countless others, like those abandoned dogs found with heartbreaking notes that tell tales of impossible circumstances and difficult choices.
A second chance at life
When Jamie’s friend posted Beaux’s photo on Facebook mentioning he needed a foster or forever home, she immediately reached out: “I would love to foster this dog and give him a home.” When she finally met Beaux, what she found was heartbreaking – a skeletal figure with his rib cage visible through his thin blonde fur, covered in fleas and mites. Despite his dire condition, Jamie wasn’t deterred.
“At that point, I didn’t care if he was severely ill. I didn’t want him to be fostered again and returned,” Jamie shared. Having been in foster care herself for two years before being adopted at age nine, she understood the emotional impact of being transferred from one home to another.
“I wanted him to be stable and know this was his home. That’s why I adopted him directly from the owner. Beaux Tox had already been shuffled around, and I just wanted him to be a dog,” she explained. This connection between human and canine experiences demonstrates how senior dogs abandoned late in life can find joy through dedicated foster families who understand their unique needs.
When Jamie took Beaux to the veterinary clinic, his survival chances were even worse than she had imagined. He tested positive for heartworm disease, which over time permanently damages organs, and was far too weak to begin any treatment. Dr. Jay Rydberg determined that Beaux had only a 50% chance of survival.
During his first month of recovery, Beaux stayed in an oxygen chamber. Dr. Rydberg remained with him around the clock, even calling Jamie at 3 a.m. when things looked bleak. Like veterinarians who go beyond professional duty to help anxious shelter animals, Dr. Rydberg’s dedication proved crucial in Beaux’s recovery journey.
From outdoor outcast to beloved family member
Despite the grim prognosis, Beaux fought for his life. Over weeks and months, he slowly gained weight and eventually became strong enough to undergo heartworm treatment. Though he lost hearing in his left ear due to mites and still had difficulty seeing from his right eye, Beaux ultimately received a clean bill of health.
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“Some people pay a lot for a dog’s papers, and I feel like I paid for his health certificate. But I’m 100% okay with that, knowing he’s now happy and free,” Jamie reflected. The transformation in Beaux’s behavior once he entered Jamie’s home was remarkable. Despite spending years as an outdoor dog, he showed no desire to return to that life.
“He was an outside dog, but you would never have known because he doesn’t want to go outside. He’ll go out if you make him, but if you stay inside, he stands by the door and looks out the window,” Jamie observed. This adaptation shows how even dogs with traumatic pasts can adjust to loving environments, similar to how abandoned puppies can find security when given proper care and attention.
In his new home, Beaux met a brother named Riley, a Golden Retriever who taught him how to be an indoor dog. Despite their age difference, their bond was natural and evident. Beaux’s story reminds us of other unlikely canine success stories, like dogs finding unexpected acceptance in places they weren’t initially welcome.
The legacy of a special face
Through Jamie’s love and care, Beaux experienced the best life possible during his final years. His remarkable journey from neglect to beloved family member touched hearts around the world through social media. Though Beaux passed away in 2024 at the age of 14, his story continues to inspire people to look beyond physical appearances and recognize the capacity for love in every living being.
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Beaux’s life illustrates how special needs animals often make the most loyal companions when given a chance. His facial deformity, once the reason for his rejection, became his most recognizable and endearing feature. Like the story of dogs rescued from dire circumstances, Beaux’s transformation reminds us of the resilience animals possess when shown compassion.
Jamie’s decision to adopt a dog others had deemed unworthy changed not only Beaux’s life but enriched her own beyond measure. Their story stands as testament to the profound healing power of unconditional acceptance and love, proving that sometimes the most unusual-looking animals have the most beautiful souls.
