Who is Nico? Nicholas—Nico to those who love him—is a sweet, goofy, affectionate dog who just needed someone to believe in him. He has survived more in his short life than most animals ever do. Nico acts like an old soul. He loves lounging on his bed, getting belly scratches, sharing kisses, and simply being near the people he trusts. He doesn’t need excitement; he needs peace, patience, and love—and when he gets it, he gives it back tenfold.
Saved with One Hour to Spare
Nico arrived at the Martinez shelter with a rough history—suspected abuse, possible time as a stray, and a pattern of being returned from foster homes. He was placed on the euthanasia list. Thanks to the Milo Foundation and a dedicated foster, who rushed to the shelter within an hour of his scheduled euthanasia, Nico was given another chance. The moment was tense—the shelter staff even had the foster wait while they checked to see if Nico was still alive. Against all odds, he was, and rescued just in time.
Finding His Footing
Nico’s early days in foster care were rocky. He struggled with trust, with new people, and with the unpredictability of different homes. But the volunteers never gave up. Loving, everyday community members stepped up to foster him, from Concord, to Antioch, and Martinez. His turning point came in his third foster home in Martinez, where he bonded deeply with a compassionate woman who gave him nearly a year of stability. Under her care, Nico blossomed. He learned German commands, potty trained, and—most importantly—he learned that people could be safe.
A Heartbreaking Setback
After nearly a year of stability, Nico’s world was turned upside down when his foster’s living situation changed. In his confusion and fear, Nico had a bite incident, which led to animal control involvement and 10 days on bite hold at the same Martinez shelter where he’d once faced euthanasia. Confined to a small kennel, Nico regressed. But his advocates weren’t finished. The same group of volunteers who had saved him before negotiated with the rescue, paid his fines, and got him out before he could be euthanized a second time.
A New Chapter
Nico’s behavior started to decline, likely triggered by ongoing landscaping work near his yard and his past abuse. He needed serious training. His devoted foster drove him herself—an eight-hour journey—down to Chino, CA, so he could attend a professional board-and-train program from November 2025 through February 2026. The results have been remarkable. Nico is now fully crate trained, walks calmly on leash, and is comfortable with a muzzle for certain high trigger situations, learning to navigate when overwhelmed. The trainer confirmed what Nico’s advocates always believed: he had been abused—likely with a stick—and experienced significant trauma during his shelter stays. But with the right environment, he heals.
Where Nico is Headed
Now, Nico is preparing to make the journey back to Northern California, where he will begin a foster-to-adopt placement with his foster’s brother—a veteran living in Danville, CA, who is hopeful that, with patience, Nico may one day become his service dog. It’s a beautiful, fitting next chapter for a dog who has survived so much and still has so much love to give.
Why We’re Asking for Help
The cost of Nico’s three-month board-and-train program has largely been covered out of pocket by the small group of volunteers who have fought for him since January 2023. These are everyday people—not a big organization, not a well-funded rescue—just people who saw a dog worth saving and refused to let him go. Your donation will go directly toward reimbursing the cost of Nico’s professional training, transporting him safely to his new home, and supporting his transition. Every dollar helps. Even a small contribution will make a real difference for Nico and for the volunteers who have given so much to help him. If you’re unable to donate, sharing Nico’s story is another powerful way to help. Together, we can give Nico the second chance he deserves and help this small rescue group continue saving dogs in our community.