nbc's jill rappaport on how they came to each other's rescue. >> zechlt.a, good girl. >> reporter: they call her zena the warrior puppy. a title this abused and abandoned dog earned because of her miraculous story of survival. >> that's zena! >> i've never seen a puppy anywhere near the condition she was in. >> less than 1% chance of survival. >> it wasn't good. >> reporter: but against all odds, this little puppy that could did and on her road to recovery captured the hearts of thousands. including linda and grant hickey who ended up adopting her. >> good girl! i just fell in love with her off her facebook. yummy! >> reporter: but little did they know that the survivor would end up becoming a savior. for their 8-year-old son, johnny, who has autism. >> the relationship between them is unlike anything i can describe. he had issues with -- you know, social issues having autism. and she breaks that barrier for him. they are best friends. johnny talks to her. johnny sings to her. it is really remarkable that what this dog has done for johnny. >> most kids wit

nbc's jill rappaport has more on how they came to each other's rescue. >> xena.rl. >> reporter: they call her xena the warrior puppy. a title this abused and abandoned dog earned. >> come on. >> reporter: because of her miraculous story of survival. >> xena. >> i've never seen a pup my pi anywhere near the condition she was in. >> less than 1% chance of survival? >> it wasn't good. >> reporter: but against all odds, this little puppy that could, did. and on her road to recovery, captured the hearts of thousands. including linda and grant hickey, who ended up adopting her. >> good girl. >> i just fell in love with her over facebook. yummy. >> reporter: but little did they know that the survivor would end up becoming a savior. for their 8-year-old son johnny, who has autism. >> kisses. >> reporter: the relationship between them is unlike anything i can describe. he has issues with, you know, social issues, having autism. and she breaks that barrier for him. they are best friends. johnny talks to her. >> xena! >> reporter: johnny sings to her. ♪ it's really remarkab