Dice, a three-year-old pit bull mix, experienced a grim start but found a brighter future thanks to a stroke of luck and some compassionate individuals.

In early November, while delivering eviction papers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, police officers were alerted by local children to an abandoned dog confined to a cage without food or water outside a vacant apartment.

According to Tracey Godin, cofounder of Feeling Fine Rescue in Loxahatchee, Florida, the tenants had moved out leaving Dice behind.

The children informed police that the dog had been languishing there for more than a week, though it seemed Dice had suffered neglect for a far longer period.

Seeing Dice’s frail condition was a shock for Godin. “It just stole your breath away,” she recalled. “I couldn’t believe he was still alive.”

Dice was so weakened that he could only manage a few steps before collapsing. During a visit to the vet, he struggled even to navigate a simple curb.

Once Dice’s health improved enough for him to leave the vet’s care, he moved in with Feeling Fine Rescue, operated by Godin and her daughter. They were both amazed at his rapid recovery.

“It’s astonishing to see how a dog can endure so much mistreatment and still be ready to love and trust new people,” stated Micaela Godin for The Dodo. “Dice has shown immense affection from the moment we met him. His personality is remarkable.”

A family quickly became attached to Dice, visiting him frequently and eventually organizing a meeting with their own dogs to introduce him to potential new friends. Shortly after, they decided to make him a permanent family member.

“They called me last night saying they were even more in love with him and didn’t want to return him,” Tracey Godin shared. “I shed tears of joy knowing Dice found a wonderful home.”

The adjustment to his new family life seemed seamless for Dice. “He adapted so quickly, it’s as though he’s always been with them,” Godin mentioned.