For years, a tiny Yorkshire terrier in Brooklyn survived the only way he knew how — by digging through trash cans for scraps of food.
His owner rarely let him inside, so the little dog, weighed down by heavy mats of fur, wandered the streets each day in search of something to eat.
A worried neighbor had watched the heartbreaking routine for months, horrified as the small dog dodged traffic and battled the elements. Finally, they couldn’t stand by any longer — and called AMA Animal Rescue (AMA) for help.
“He was snappy,” said Mariya Vlasova, AMA’s director of veterinary care. “When anyone tried to approach him, he’d growl, run away, or try to bite. He was scared, not mean.”
It took several visits — and plenty of hot dogs — before rescuers earned the frightened Yorkie’s trust enough to safely capture him. They named him Mickey and rushed him straight to the vet.
“He was extremely matted,” Vlasova recalled. “It didn’t look like he’d been groomed in years. He had an eye infection, and his fur was so overgrown and crusted with discharge that he couldn’t even see.”
Mickey’s condition made it clear he’d spent most of his 13 years fending for himself outdoors. With encouragement from AMA staff, his owner finally agreed to surrender him, giving Mickey his first real chance at a better life.
Under sedation, vets carefully shaved away the mats and treated his infections. When Mickey woke up, the transformation was stunning — for the first time in years, he could move freely and see the world around him.
But healing his heart would take longer.
Mickey spent a full year at AMA’s shelter, slowly learning that people could be kind. Over time, his walls began to crumble, and he started to trust again.
Then, the perfect foster came along — someone patient enough to help Mickey feel safe.
“With his foster, he has completely changed,” Vlasova said. “She can wash him, pick him up, even touch his face. All he needed was time and love.”
Now 15 years old, Mickey sleeps soundly on a soft bed each night and enjoys playing with other small dogs. And after years of not being able to see, he’s developed a funny new habit.
“We always joke that since he couldn’t see for so long, now he can’t stop admiring himself in the mirror,” Vlasova said with a laugh.
Mickey is now looking for a forever home — one filled with patience, gentleness, and understanding.
“If you’re soft, gentle and kind, he’ll reflect that right back,” Vlasova said. “Once he trusts you, he’s the sweetest boy you could ever meet.”
Those interested in adopting Mickey can apply through AMA Animal Rescue’s website.
