The dog was constantly rejected as he had a severely abusive past in a dog fighting ring and was deemed to be an “aggressive biter”.

When Nikki Audet clicked the image of a depressed shelter dog, she had no idea the dog would become an inspirational icon for many unwanted dogs around the world. The dog in the picture below is Nico, a deaf 6-year-old Dogo Argentino, and his journey out of an LA shelter is one among the foremost extraordinary stories we’ve ever encountered.

The picture was originally taken to draw in potential adopters for Nico, who had a severely abusive past during a dog fighting ring and was deemed to be an “aggressive biter.” But the dog’s utter hopelessness and despair conveyed through this snapshot was enough to tug at the hearts of animal lovers everywhere. This picture resulted in Nico becoming the poster child for undesirable homeless dogs.

Nico’s rescue story began during shelter. Just when he had given abreast of life, San Diego animal rescuer Kelly Gibson traveled to the shelter and pulled this defeated dog out of the kill list. She helped him get medical attention for his cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, and transferred him to a caring family in Indiana. Nico made a great recovery and found his forever home with Bridget Swan and her warm family. They happily embraced this handsome bicolor-eyed dog. Though Nico’s health struggles were far away from over, his symbolic happy ending mirrored the story of a real underdog!

After spending several blissful years with his family, Nico’s cancer returned, and his health worsened. The dog eventually crossed the rainbow bridge to doggie heaven while being surrounded by people that loved him. Nico won’t be with us now, but his legacy as a brave and resilient survivor will survive forever! Click the video below to see Nico’s touching story as he beat mounting odds to seek out his happy ending!