On a cold, wet afternoon, NYPD Officer Michael Pascale was patrolling a public park when he came across a heartbreaking sight: a tiny, skinny, frightened black puppy chained to a fence, surrounded by broken bottles and used needles. The dog, later named Joey, was wet, shivering, and clearly abandoned.

Cop Adopts Abandoned Dog He Saved in the Rain

“He just looked at me with those ‘Help me’ eyes,” Pascale told The Dodo. “My first thought was, ‘I need to get him out of here.’”

Pascale, an officer with a heart of gold and a love for animals, couldn’t leave Joey in that situation. He freed him from the chain and carried him to his patrol car, where he toweled him off and offered him some water and food.

“I don’t see any animals,” Pascale said. “I can see a soul. And I don’t avoid that either.”

Pascale, touched by Joey’s sadness, texted a photo to his wife. “Take him home,” she ordered without hesitation. The couple, touched by the little dog’s story, set out to adopt him, but there was one small hurdle: regulations at the Animal Care Centers of NYC shelter in Brooklyn, where Pascale had taken Joey, required the dog to be held in custody for 72 hours to allow any potential owner to claim him.

Pascale, with a heavy heart, promised to return to see Joey during that time. And so he did, visiting him every day. With each visit, their bond grew stronger. Joey, who at first was shy and scared, began to open up to Pascale, showering him with kisses and joy.

Finally, after the 72-hour wait, Pascale was able to adopt Joey. Their joy was palpable. Pascale, with tears in his eyes, promised Joey that he would never again suffer abuse or neglect.

Now a member of the Pascale family, Joey has transformed their lives. He is a playful and loving dog, who enjoys walks around New York City and cuddling on the couch with his mother. Pascale, proud of his new companion, mentions that Joey has become a “mama’s boy.”

The story of Joey and Officer Pascale is a reminder of the importance of compassion and kindness, and how one small act of kindness can change the life of an animal and a person. Once a frightened stray, Joey is now a symbol of hope and love, a testament that even in the darkest of places, the light of kindness can shine through.