It's been more than a year since a starving puppy was found at the bottom of a trash chute of a large apartment building in Newark, New Jersey.

 On March 16, 2011, the building's superintendent found the emaciated and shivering dog -- who'd been wrapped in a plastic bag -- just seconds before he would've been swallowed up by the trash compacter.

 The dog was named Patrick because he was discovered the day before St. Patrick's Day. Rescuers didn't think he would survive another 24 hours. But he did. And his story is something of a miracle.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Kisha Curtis, the dog's 27-year-old owner, had tied him to a railing and left him there for a week. It's unclear if she threw him down the chute or if someone else did.

 Patrick was then taken in and cared for by the Associated Humane Societies in New Jersey, reported ohmidog.com Volunteers took him to Garden State Veterinary Services where a giant hairball was removed from his stomach so that he could begin to eat again.

 "The veterinary staff immediately put him on intravenous fluid. His temperature was so low that it did not even register on the thermometer," says Patrick's Facebook page. He soon became an Internet celebrity, with donations pouring in from around the world.

Patrick weighed 19 pounds when he arrived at the hospital. He now weighs 50 pounds. Recently, Reddit user dikfeld uploaded a series of photos showing the dog's transformation over the last year.

Associated Humane Societies is seeking custody of Patrick, whose newfound fame is being used to advocate for stricter animal abuse laws. AHS wants to find a new forever-home for Patrick.

 Garden State Veterinary Specialists of Tinton Falls, however, is also vying for a part in Patrick's plight. He has been staying with Patricia Smillie-Scavelli, the hospital’s administrator, who also wants to keep the brave dog.

“He really gives love,” Scavelli told Irish Central. “He climbs into your lap, he would prefer to sit in your lap than lay on the floor. He also sleeps in our bed at night, along with the cat.”

However, a few physical scars remain from Patrick's ordeal. NBC reports that he is still fearful of strangers, but when fed a few dog treats, he quickly warms up.

Curtis is scheduled to appear in court on charges of animal cruelty. She is not accused with tossing Patrick down the chute, only with neglect and abandonment. (SOURCE)