Magic Mike’s Journey: It Took a Village

Magic Mike’s story is proof that it truly takes a village to save a life. He was first spotted wandering the streets of El Monte—alone, starving, and nearly hit by a car. No collar. No microchip. No one looking for him. Just a scared soul doing his best to survive. An unhoused man, with almost nothing of his own, coaxed Mike to safety. He didn’t turn away he reached out. He brought Mike to a nearby church basement, where a kind handyman lived and regularly fed the local feral cats. That man offered Mike a warm place to rest, food to fill his empty belly, and a little peace for the night. The next morning, that handyman made a call to a fellow cat rescuer. She reached out to another rescue contact in Los Angeles. That person called me. And I said yes.

The very next day, I drove to El Monte and gently loaded Mike into my car. He howled the whole way—tried to climb into the front seat—wild-eyed and unsure. I don’t think he had ever been in a car before. I brought him to a friend who fosters dogs. Mike was sweet with people but growled at every other dog. He was shut down, stressed out, and unready for the world. But the village kept showing up. Over the next few weeks, we got him neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. But I knew love and medical care weren’t enough. Mike wasn’t adoptable… not yet. What he needed was someone who could reach him on a deeper level.

So I brought him to John Sorosky, the brilliant and deeply intuitive trainer behind K‑911 Animal Rescue. From the moment John met Mike, he didn’t just see a “project”: he saw potential. Mike wouldn’t enter a crate. He growled at the other dogs. He didn’t know how to walk on a leash or go to the bathroom outside. He had no coping skills. So many would’ve given up. But not John. John met Mike exactly where he was with patience, gentleness, and presence. He gave Mike time. He showed him boundaries without fear, structure without punishment, and trust without force. Slowly, Mike learned to walk calmly on leash. To sit, to stay, to be part of a group. He stopped growling. He started watching John with curious, hopeful eyes.  John didn’t just train Mike. He rehabilitated him.

He gave him confidence. He gave him a chance. And because of that, Magic Mike was adopted two weeks ago by a retired police officer, his wife, their two sons, and two other rescue dogs. A true forever home, full of love, laughter, and second chances. Magic Mike’s journey started with a man who had nothing but gave everything. Then it grew, a handyman, a cat rescuer, another rescuer, me, a foster, a vet team, and John. It took all of us. But without John Sorosky, there is no doubt Mike would not be where he is today. This is what rescue looks like. It’s not easy. It’s not instant. But it’s everything. Thank you, John, for showing Mike the world could be safe and that he could be loved.
Carla