The unidentified driver motored past the now-injured pup, but alertly notified authorities.

State Trooper Nick Rubino, a dog owner, was on duty the night that the call was received, and he was the first to arrive at the scene.

"I pulled up to the ramp and she was just laying there curled up in a ball and bleeding heavily. You could tell she was alive, but had no life in her," Rubino recalled.

He quickly picked up the puppy, a 6-month-old Pekingnese, and examined her on his car. Shortly thereafter, Trooper Thomas McLaughlin arrived, and together they rushed the dog to Oradell Animal Hospital.

Once the puppy arrived at the hospital, the staff decided to fittingly name her "Trooper," and she immediately became a hospital favorite, tugging at the hearts of the entire staff. She arrived in poor shape with pelvic and hip fractures and numerous abrasions. There were no significant internal injuries, but she did have to endure surgery for her fractures.

Dawne Glazer, an in-hospital client liaison, knew that these procedures would be costly and quickly called up Carol Burrows, president of FOCAS, to request that Trooper be made an "Angel Fund" recipient. FOCAS, a non-profit organization established in 1984 for the "Protection and Preservation of Animals," offers numerous programs to the community for animals and their owners. FOCAS’ "Angel Fund" was established to provide veterinary services to animals in need, above and beyond what can reasonably be expected under shelter operations. In 2007, the Angel Fund saved the lives of hundreds of homeless animals at a cost of more than $112,000.

"We have a wonderful relationship with FOCAS," Glazer noted. "They have provided many of our animals with the funding needed for medical procedures and always have volunteers helping us at the animal hospital. Trooper’s bill exceeded $8,000, and if FOCAS didn’t step in this wouldn’t be possible."

After FOCAS officially adopted Trooper, her surgeries took place and she began the long process of healing - but not without a fan base surrounding her.

"Every single staff member fell in love with her because she is just such a sweet dog. Throughout the entire day, people would stop by to say hello to her," Glazer remembered.

Glazer wound up fostering Trooper for eight days, only adding more love for the puppy.

Shortly after people heard of Trooper’s story, news television programs ran her story on her. That is when Monica Fay, of Milltown, first saw her future puppy.

"I was watching the news and saw her story. I called Oradell Animal Hospital to check on her and just wanted to make sure she was okay. I already have two Pekignese dogs, but for some reason I couldn’t get Trooper out of my mind. Eventually, they referred me to Carol Burrows at FOCAS to go through the adoption process," Fay said.

Coincidentally, there was a large amount of adoption applications by people in law enforcement. Monica Fay’s husband, Patrick, also happens to be a lieutenant with the Hackensack Police Department. Along with their three children, Courtney, Patrick and Kendall, the Fay family proved to be the best choice for Trooper’s new home. FOCAS contacted them to inform them that their application had been chosen.

"The care that Trooper received from everyone involved is amazing," Fay noted. "From the state troopers to the animal hospital to Carol Burrows and FOCAS, it speaks volumes about everyone involved in her story. We’ve kept in touch with Dawne and Carol and send pictures to update them. She’s absolutely an angelic dog. After everything she’s been put through, you would think she’d be a nasty dog, but she is the exact opposite - just a joy to have in our family."

Before Trooper left for her new home, there was a sad farewell from the Oradell Animal Hospital staff, Burrows and troopers Rubino and McLaughlin. Glazer sent Trooper off with a scrapbook she had made and Rubino had purchased her a blanket for her bed with a New Jersey State Trooper insignia embroidered on it.

In a testament to Trooper’s remarkable impression on everyone she met, there is a reunion planned for her at FOCAS’ Blessing of the Animals event, which will be on Sunday, May 4 at the Bergen County Animal Shelter in Teterboro. The Fay family plans on taking Trooper to the event to reunite with the people who helped save her life.

"People really have to be reminded that Trooper’s story and so many like hers would not be possible without the funding from FOCAS. Since FOCAS is all donation-based, it’s so important to get the word out so we can help other animals like her," Glazer added.