A puppy who barely survived being beaten and forced to eat detergent is doing remarkably better.

“He has improved dramatically,” says Ellen Jefferson, a veterinarian who is caring for the puppy now known as Phoenix. “We are very encouraged by how alert he is, how he’s walking around and how he’s eating.”

Just two weeks ago, Jefferson and other doctors worried Phoenix might not survive. Severe abuse by his owner’s boyfriend left him blind, with brain damage and a large potentially fatal bubble in his lungs that could have burst at any time.

At that time, Phoenix wasn’t eating and couldn’t stand to be touched. Doctors inserted a feeding tube to keep him alive.

Late last week doctors removed the feeding tube, and now, Phoenix is able to run and play a little. His legs are wobbly and he runs in circles a lot, but he’s progressing every day.

He has learned to find and eat food on his plate, but sometimes appears to lose track of where it is because of his blindness.

“Sometimes I feel like he’s trying to play with me because he’ll kind of zoom around my feet and is really rambunctious, especially after he’s had some good rest,” says Camron Barta, a receptionist at the animal hospital caring for Phoenix. Barta takes Phoenix home with her at night.

“He’s definitely still wobbly and walks in circles a lot, but I say they’re happy circles,” she says.

Jefferson says she doesn’t see any sign of the bubble in his lungs on new X-rays. She wants a radiologist to confirm what she sees, but says that right now, it looks like Phoenix is out of danger.

“It is actually a miracle, because that is not supposed to happen,” she says. “They don't typically resorb…I think the positive energy the community is giving him is paying off because that's not supposed to happen.”

She says Phoenix’ blindness is a result of the abuse. She says it may be because of brain trauma or because or retinal detachment, in which surgery may be able to restore Phoenix’ sight.

Since KVUE aired a story about Phoenix two weeks ago, Austin-area residents donated about $6,000 to Austin Pets Alive!, which is paying for Phoenix’ care.

Austin Pets Alive! is a group that provides resources such as adoption, foster homes, and medical and training assistance to help save the lives of more than 13,000 pets euthanized every year at local shelters. The group wants Austin to become a “no kill” city.

Phoenix’ medical bills in the future could range from several hundreds of dollars, if all he needs is therapy, to several thousand dollars if he requires additional surgeries.

To contribute, go to the APA web site at: austinpetsalive.org.