Norm, believed to be a 1-year-old terrier mix. Photo: latimes.com

In December, Gardena, California police officer Sgt. Nick Beerling responded to a call there were cries and whimpers coming from a self-compacting garbage container outside a church.

Opening the container, Sgt. Beerling was stunned to find a frightened puppy atop a pile of trash, with a compactor soon to squash the pup and everything around him.

The dog was found inside a trash can outside a church in Gardena. Photo: latimes.com

The tiny, one-year-old terrier mix was shaking and crying. Sgt. Beerling took him to a local animal shelter for medical care and for them to find him a good home.

But that is not the end of our story.

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