From a chilly plunge in the East River to snuggling in the arms of her forever family, Hudson the Maltese is living proof that happy endings do exist.
Back on March 30, a tiny, fluffy dog was spotted struggling in the rough waters near South Street Seaport in New York. The NYPD’s Harbor Unit quickly sprang into action, with Officer Jared Desalvo and two of his teammates pulling the pup to safety and wrapping her in a warm blanket.
“She was rescued from the ‘ruff’ waters of the East River,” the department joked online.
But that rescue was only the beginning of Hudson’s story.
After being pulled from the water, Hudson was taken to the Animal Care Center of New York (ACC) for some much-needed TLC. She had a respiratory infection but responded well to antibiotics. The sweet Maltese, estimated to be about a year or two old, was placed in foster care while the shelter waited to see if anyone would come forward to claim her.
No one did. That’s when Officer Desalvo saw an opportunity.
“No one came forward. But [it presents] a unique opportunity for me and my family. We’ll be adopting Hudson, and she’ll be in good care,” Desalvo said in a touching NYPD video posted May 10 on X.
The video shows Desalvo cuddling Hudson and sharing her journey, but the real magic happens when his kids, Salvatore (9) and Stella (8), walk in and meet the dog for the first time.
“They [believed] that they [were] going to a [Communion] party,” he told the New York Daily News about the surprise moment. “They [knew] about the rescue and everything. Since that day, they’ve been asking constantly about the status of the dog.”
Spoiler: the dog’s status is now “officially part of the family.”
Hudson didn’t have a collar, microchip, or ID when she was found, but her affectionate personality immediately won hearts.
“The staff and volunteers love her,” ACC spokesperson Katy Hansen told PEOPLE, calling Hudson “so flipping cute.” Hansen added, “[Hudson] seems to be well looked after and enjoys the company of people.”
Now, Hudson gets to enjoy the company of a family who adores her — including two very excited kids who couldn’t stop hugging their new best friend.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to give her a second chance,” Desalvo said. “She’ll be a great part of our family. She’ll be very well taken care of.”
Every dog really does have its day, and for Hudson, that day came with open arms, wagging tails, and a brand-new home.
