Boy From Minnesota With Prosthetic Leg Finds Best Friend In Golden Retriever Puppy Born Without Paw

May 14, 2021 by apost team

A boy with a prosthetic leg found a new friend in a very special golden retriever puppy. Paxton Williams, 7, was born prematurely in Minnesota and developed an infection in his leg that stunted its growth, resulting in him needing a prosthetic leg later on. Despite the challenges he faced, he found comfort in man’s best friend when his family adopted a puppy in May 2021.

Everyone wants to feel understood and have someone to lean on for comfort. For Paxton, he was able to find that when he befriended Marvel, a golden retriever puppy that was born without a front right paw. They quickly formed a beautiful and powerful bond with one another. The universe seemed to align for the two, as they shared some pretty tough similarities. 

They were both born with physical complications that they will have to learn to live with for the rest of their lives. Nonetheless, they have still been able to overcome nearly everything that has been thrown their way. One might say the two friends were even destined to find one another thanks to the Rolling Oaks Golden adoption center and a great means of connection.

Whether you choose to adopt or rescue, welcoming a pet into your home can be life-changing. Paxton and Marvel were able to find one another when they needed it most, and their friendship instantly bloomed. Paxton’s parents, Blaine and Stepanie Williams, have been extremely encouraging of the budding friendship and have shown nothing but happiness for their son and his new puppy. Their heartwarming story has since been capturing hearts all over the world.

Rolling Oaks Golden is a place where people can adopt golden retrievers and learn how to properly train and care for them. According to the Rolling Oaks Golden website, the family business has been raising golden retrievers for almost 40 years. “We are striving to produce healthy, happy puppies and maintain a relationship with our clients so that if needed, we can coach them in raising their dog,” the team wrote on the website.

The sense of togetherness can be seen through the family business to the partnership of the dogs and clients, much like Paxton and Marvel. “Our goal is to make purchasing a golden retriever a memorable experience where you feel like you have been part of a team,” the Rolling Oaks Golden team wrote. “We believe in honesty and consider ourselves ethical breeders who care deeply about our dogs, puppies and clients.”

According to WCCO, Marvel was the only puppy in the Litchfield litter that was born without a front right paw, making her an incredibly special little pup. Barb Felt, the breeder of Rolling Oaks Goldens, had the perfect idea for Marvel’s future. “We wanted her to go in a home with someone who had a limb difference,” she said.

It didn’t take long for Felt’s vision to come to fruition, and she was soon connected to the Williams family in Waconia, Minnesota. One of her clients was an occupational therapist for Paxton. Despite having a prosthetic leg, he didn’t let it hold him back and continued to play and run like any other kid.

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Paxton’s parents made the decision in 2018 to have doctors amputate his foot, which had not been able to develop fully due to his premature birth, according to WCCO. He was given a prosthetic to help him move around and walk more easily on his own.

Despite only being 7-years-old, Paxton had a new sense of independence and was ready to thrive in his wide-open world. WCCO reported that Felt knew Paxton would be the perfect match for the special golden retriever puppy. Paxton’s parents agreed.

“It’s like they knew they were special,” Blaine said. He and his wife loved to see their son and the puppy form a special bond and overcome their limb differences together, according to WCCO. Marvel has been getting along swimmingly with the whole family, as Blaine has been capturing the moments Paxton and Marvel have been sharing as they take similar strides together on their walks.

“The amount of emotions that were running through me at the time, it was just awesome because it was knowing that she was in the perfect place at the perfect time,” Blaine said. Stephanie has also become a huge fan of the puppy, as she has seen just how much Paxton loves her. “It gives him the opportunity to tell the kids, ‘Oh she’s missing a paw, she’s like me,’ and it gives him that voice, too, to advocate for himself,” Paxton’s mother explained.

According to WCCO, Marvel may need her own prosthetic or even a wheelchair to get around, as there could be complications down the road from continuing to walk on a stunted leg. For now, though, she is able to run around happily with her new family and her new friend, Paxton.

What did you think of this heartwarming story? Do you have any pets you’ve adopted? Let us know, and be sure to send this to your family members and friends!