When one adorable 4-year-old mutt was struck by a car near Ozark, Ala., he was rushed to the local animal shelter. Diagnosed with a severely broken leg requiring an expensive surgery, no one came forward to adopt the abandoned dog.

Sadly, the shelter had no other choice but to condemn the black and brown dog to euthanasia treatment.

As animal control officer Wanda Snell firmly confirms,  a veterinarian inserted a needle into the pup, and injected the lethal chemical. While the animal made subtle movements, he became completely still and silent by the time she left the shelter. 

However, when she returned in the morning, miraculously the dog had bounced back to life!

Named “Lazarus” (after the man in the Bible who Jesus is said to have brought back to life), this precious creature defied all odds.

Shelter volunteer Cortney Blankenship told NBC News, “His body overcame and he had a will to live and somehow, someway he made it through.”

When the story of Lazarus’ incredible will to survive began to spread, the once un-adoptable dog was immediately welcomed into a loving family’s home.

Lazarus couldn’t be happier with his new foster mother Jane Holston (pictured above). Thankfully, the damage he incurred from the initial accident is finally being tended to. 

Once destined to die, Lazarus is now living a wonderful life with a caring family and playful new friends! 

I think Lazarus refused to let go of life, as deep down, knew that there was a family out there who needed him just has much as he needed them!

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