Meet Nico, the deaf Dogo Argentino who was once a shelter dog with a difficult past. He had come from a dog fighting ring, and his previous experiences had left him emotionally wounded and physically ill. His condition was so severe that the shelter staff deemed him an “aggressive biter.” But he was more than that – he was a dog who had given up on life.
It was then that Nikki Audet clicked a picture of Nico in the shelter. While the photo was originally taken to attract potential adopters, it quickly went viral. It captured the dog’s utter hopelessness and despair, conveying a sense of sadness that could tug at the hearts of animal lovers everywhere. The overwhelming response led to Nico becoming the poster boy for distressed homeless dogs.
While the initial response was heartwarming, the real change came only when Kelly Gibson, a San Diego animal rescuer, traveled to the shelter and pulled Nico out from the kill list. Gibson helped him get medical attention for his cancerous and non-cancerous tumors and eventually brought him to a caring foster home in Indiana.
As Nico began his journey to recovery, Bridget Swan and her family came forward to provide a loving home to the handsome bi-color-eyed dog. For several years, the happy dog enjoyed the warmth of the family until his cancer returned and his health began to worsen.
While Nico may no longer be with us, his legacy lives on as that of a brave and resilient survivor. His story of finding his way out of a shelter, overcoming health issues, and finding a loving home inspires homeless dogs and animal lovers alike.
His fighting spirit might have been tested, but he never gave up. With the help of caring individuals, Nico carved out a new path in life. He proved that resilience and hope can overcome the biggest obstacles that a dog might face.
Click on the video below to watch Nico’s touching story of beating the odds and finding his happy ending. Share this article with your friends and family members to inspire them to support animal rescue efforts and help make the world a kinder place for homeless dogs like Nico.