Norm, believed to be a 1-year-old terrier mix. Photo: latimes.com

In December, Gardena, California police officer Sgt. Nick Beerling responded to a call there were cries and whimpers coming from a self-compacting garbage container outside a church.

Opening the container, Sgt. Beerling was stunned to find a frightened puppy atop a pile of trash, with a compactor soon to squash the pup and everything around him.

The dog was found inside a trash can outside a church in Gardena. Photo: latimes.com

The tiny, one-year-old terrier mix was shaking and crying. Sgt. Beerling took him to a local animal shelter for medical care and for them to find him a good home.

But that is not the end of our story.

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Sgt. Beerling had fallen in love with this helpless puppy, and started visiting him. He began calling the puppy "Norm," because he was rescued on Normandie Avenue.

With Christmas approaching, and his daughters, Lacy and Riley wanting another dog to go with their little Shih Tzu dog Winny, they appealed to their dad to adopt him.

Mother Marina agreed. And soon Sgt. Beerling brought Norm to his forever home, a place where he will be safe, loved, and nurtured.

The Beerling family adopted Norm. Photo: kens5.com