When 14-month-old Axel Martin was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia, his parents knew he needed a special companion to help him through the grueling treatments. Enter Bingo—a rescue kitten who became his instant best friend and unwavering source of comfort.
A Lifelong Love for Cats
From the moment Axel came home from the hospital as a newborn, his parents, Haley and Chad Martin, noticed his natural bond with their family cat—a typically aloof feline who took an immediate liking to the baby.
“He just loved Axel from the start, and Axel loved him,” Haley tells PEOPLE.
So when Axel’s cancer diagnosis turned their world upside down, the Martins decided to adopt a kitten specifically for him. They visited Whiskers of Warren County in Iowa, where they found Bingo, a tiny stray who had been wandering alone.
Named after the beloved character from the children’s show Bluey, Bingo and Axel formed an instant connection.
“They’ve been besties since day one,” Haley says. “I can’t believe how strong their bond is—it’s wild!”
A Comfort Through Hard Days
Bingo proved to be more than just a playful companion. She seemed to sense when Axel needed her most, especially during his toughest moments in treatment.
“She totally tolerates toddler boundaries—or lack thereof,” Haley jokes. But on Axel’s hardest days, Bingo would curl up beside him for hours, offering quiet comfort.
“She didn’t leave his side. If he moved, she moved with him,” Haley recalls.
Now 2 years old and in remission, Axel is in the maintenance phase of chemotherapy, which is less intensive. These days, he and Bingo spend their time playing, cuddling, and “causing trouble” together.
Giving Back to the Rescue That Brought Them Together
Seeing the profound impact Bingo had on Axel, Haley was eager to support Whiskers of Warren County. When the rescue asked her to share their story for Petco Love Stories—a campaign celebrating rescue pets—she didn’t hesitate.
Now in its 10th year, the initiative collects heartwarming adoption stories, with select winners earning grants for their local shelters. Among this year’s recipients was Animal Humane New Mexico, which received a $100,000 grant thanks to a touching story about a widow and her adopted cat, Treetop.
For Haley, sharing Axel and Bingo’s journey was a way to honor the life-changing power of pet adoption.
“It’s been really special to watch,” she says. “They’re the perfect pair.”
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