It’s always heartbreaking when a dog is abandoned, but thankfully many of these mistreated dogs get a second chance in amazing new homes.

Like one dog, who was abandoned in the park earlier this year, but is now living it up in some very special new surroundings…

In February, Associated Humane Popcorn Park Shelter, in Forked River, New Jersey, took in a four-and-a-half-year-old pitbull named Paulie who had been abandoned in a local park.

His background was unclear, but it appeared Paulie had been in a “decent home” at some point, as he was able to sit on command, walk on leash and “plop himself down on the first soft bed or blanket that he sees in a room.”

“How in the world could this sweet little pudge-pot of a dog get dumped and abandoned in a city park?” the shelter wrote. “We’ll never know, but luckily he was picked up before any harm could come to him.”

They described him as the “sweetest and most mellow guy” who makes friends easily and loves belly rubs.

On March 8, Paulie was adopted by a loving new owner. “I really hit the lottery with him,” the adopter said in a Facebook post. “I’ve had a lot of dogs in my life, but he is special. I never expected to adopt a dog that was so obedient, so mushy, he’s just an all-around great dog.”

Paulie’s new owner said that the dog gets along great with his 16-month-old granddaughter, and that he even take him to work — where Paulie has a special job delighting senior citizens!

Photos show Paulie basking in the love with his new family and senior citizen friends. One photo shows the mellow dog laying near the feet of one senior woman as if ready to ask for some belly rubs.

“When I tell you, he puts a smile on their face for the four hours that I’m there. I don’t know who loves it more, them or him,” the owner said.

“All those people that say, ‘don’t get a pitbull’, how wrong they could be. Don’t knock them until you have one.”

The shelter was thrilled by the happy ending, and said they “couldn’t be happier for Paulie and his new family,” and saying that despite the sad circumstances of his abandonment, everything worked out perfect in the end.

“The day that Paulie was abandoned in a city park must have been a very sad day for him but little did he know…..that was the greatest day of his life. Why?? It led him to this!” they wrote. “His revenge is living the absolute best life EVER now!”

We’re so glad Paulie has an amazing new home and is bringing so much joy to seniors! Please share this story!