A second chance was just what the doctor ordered for a poor little 4-month-old mixed breed puppy badly beaten and then buried alive in Augusta, Ga., according to ABC News. Augusta Animal Services originally found the pup "trying to dig his way out of what appeared to be a little grave," according to Dr. Scarlett Timmons of Westside Animal Hospital.

"He was nearly comatose when he first came in, and he wasn't responsive at all," Timmons said, WJBF reported. "He had a pretty significant head injury, a lot of swelling in his head. He also had been bitten by ants and had a respiratory infection from all the dirt that got caught in his nasal passages."

Veterinary staff named the little puppy Moxie; quite the fitting name.

"Before, he was complete blank with no reactions, but now he comes up to kiss people, and he's very affectionate and he's enjoying the attention he's receiving," she said. "He's now also eating and drinking with us. He still can't stand on his own -- he's pretty wobbly -- but he's making progress and we're praying he can make a full recovery. "

Timmons added that there is a chance that Moxie has brain damage from her experience, according to The Daily Mail. 

"Potentially could be long term affects," she said. "There is still a large amount of swelling in his head. It could be a period of time before we know the extent of damages, but we are pleased to see him regain normal function of being able to eat and drink and stand on his own."

Non-profit group Dog Networking Agents, Inc. is covering Moxie's mounting veterinary bill and providing a reward for any information on who hurt the puppy.

Moxie is lucky to have a team of experts at his disposal giving him the second chance he deserves.