On a cold, rainy afternoon in New York City, Officer Michael Pascale of the NYPD was making his usual patrol rounds through a local park when something caught his eye. Amid the damp, grey landscape, a small black dog sat shivering and soaked to the bone. The dog, later named Joey, was chained tightly to a fence with a thick, heavy metal chain. Around him, the ground was littered with broken beer bottles and discarded needles, painting a grim picture of the environment in which this helpless animal had been left. His eyes, wide with fear and desperation, locked onto Pascale’s. It wasn’t just a glance—it was a silent, heart-wrenching plea for help.
“He’s just looking up at me with these ‘Help Me’ eyes,” Officer Pascale later recalled. “I knew I had to get him out of there.”
Without hesitation, Pascale approached the frightened dog, slowly and gently, careful not to scare him further. Despite the chaos around him, Joey didn’t growl or bark. He simply sat, trembling and quiet, as if he had given up hope. Moved by the sight, Pascale carefully unhooked the chain, wrapped Joey in his jacket, and carried him away from the park and the pain he’d clearly endured.
He brought Joey to the Animal Care Centers of NYC shelter in Brooklyn, where staff immediately began evaluating the pup. As Joey was being dried off with a towel, Officer Pascale knelt beside him, helping with the task and comforting the little dog. In that moment, something unexpected happened. A bond began to form—one that felt far deeper than a simple rescue. “I don’t see an animal,” Pascale explained. “I see a soul. And that’s not something I walk away from.”
Overwhelmed by the connection he felt, Pascale took out his phone and snapped a picture of Joey. He sent the photo to his wife with a simple message: “Look who I found.” Her response was immediate and emotional. The moment she saw Joey’s face, her heart melted. Without hesitation, she replied, “Bring him home.” The decision was made. They both knew Joey was meant to be a part of their family.
However, adopting a stray dog isn’t always a simple process. Shelter regulations required Joey to remain on a 72-hour stray hold—a mandatory waiting period designed to give any potential former owners a chance to come forward and reclaim their lost pet. Though this was standard procedure, it didn’t make the wait any easier for Pascale or his wife, who had already begun to envision their lives with Joey as part of their home.
Still, Pascale didn’t let the delay discourage him. He made a personal commitment that he would not leave Joey behind. True to his word, he visited the shelter every single day during those three long days. Each visit, he sat with Joey, talked to him, and comforted him. Joey, who had been timid and withdrawn at first, began to show signs of recognition and trust. His tail wagged a little more with each visit, his body language softened, and his eyes sparkled with the hint of hope. What began as a chance encounter in a forgotten park was now blossoming into a deep, mutual bond that neither of them had expected.
Finally, the 72-hour hold expired, and Officer Pascale officially adopted Joey. With papers signed and hearts full, he took the small black dog home—not just as a rescued animal, but as a new member of their family. On the drive back, Pascale made a silent promise to Joey: from now on, you will always be safe, always be loved, and never again be left behind.
Joey quickly settled into his new life. No longer just a frightened stray abandoned in the rain, he now had a warm bed, regular meals, and—most importantly—a family who adored him. He and Officer Pascale became inseparable. Joey joined him on walks through the city, greeting the familiar streets with a newfound curiosity and confidence. At home, he curled up on the couch with Pascale’s wife, soaking in the love he had once been denied. Pascale often jokes that Joey has become a “Mama’s Boy,” always seeking snuggles and attention from his wife.
Despite a few lingering quirks—like digging through the trash when no one’s looking or showing an understandable dislike for rainy days—Joey has proven himself to be a joyful and affectionate companion. His resilience, after all he endured, is a testament to the spirit and heart that animals possess. And though his past may have been full of pain and abandonment, his present is filled with comfort, safety, and love.
Joey’s story didn’t end with his rescue—it inspired others, too. The Pascales decided to create an Instagram account to document his new life. With every post, Joey’s joyful antics, soulful eyes, and playful spirit shine through, capturing the hearts of people all over the world. He has become something of a small celebrity, not because he was famous or trained to do tricks, but because he represents something profoundly human: the hope for a second chance and the belief that love can transform even the darkest of beginnings.
What Joey truly wants is what every dog deserves—to be seen, to be safe, and to be loved. Thanks to one compassionate police officer who took the time to look into the eyes of a helpless dog, that dream came true. And in return, Joey gave something back that no one could have expected: a deeper sense of purpose, connection, and joy to a man who simply stopped to care.
