The horrifically abused dog that became the symbol for the fight against animal cruelty in B.C. is thriving in his new life, thanks to the love of his adopters.

Trooper was nearly dead when he was brought in to the Maple Ridge BC SPCA branch in February 2010.

The Golden Retriever dubbed a "walking skeleton" weighed just 10 kilograms – roughly one-third of the weight he should be, and not even as much as the heft of an average bag of dog kibble.

He was suffering major liver damage because of his starvation. He was covered in mud, urine and feces, likely because he was confined to a small space, like a closet or cage, for a prolonged period.

Shelter staff named the dog Trooper, in the hopes the two-year-old pup would have the spirit needed to survive. He was put under constant vet supervision and fed six small meals a day.

“I [had] seen dogs like this before but only they haven’t been alive,” cruelty investigator Eileen Drever told CTV News after the nearly-dead dog was brought into their care. “The fact that this dog survived is a miracle in itself.”

Trooper's story was shared across North America, prompting well-wishers to send condolences and cash to aid his recovery. Hundreds of people came forward to adopt him.

Hailed as one of the worst abuse cases in BC SPCA history, the dog's rehabilitation and road to recovery was featured in televised ads for the animal welfare agency.

Under the care of veterinarians and shelter staff, Trooper doubled his body weight in just a few months. In fact, he put on so much weight at one point Trooper weighed almost too much. Tipping the scales at 40 kilograms, the pup was verging on the brink of rotund.

“This is the only dog in my practice I can say I’m OK with him being overweight," veterinarian Adrian Walton told CTV News in August 2013.

"Everybody else I give them a big deal about. But Trooper, he gets a freebie on this one."

The young dog found a new home with Brad and Athena Hayward, who watched him progress in leaps and bounds once he was in their home.

Described as a sunny dog with a happy disposition, the couple says Trooper adores being in the water, and "can't get enough of it."

The Golden Retriever now spends his days with three fur siblings: Arthur, a Bichon-Yorkie mix, and two cats, Ragdoll and Patrick. Trooper is particularly enamored with the male cat and can often be found cuddling with the feline.

"He cleans him constantly in the evenings while we watch TV together," Athena said, adding that all of the "fur babies" spend weekend mornings lounging in their bed with them, happily awaiting being given a treat.

For the BC SPCA, seeing the dog’s progression from frightened and fragile to happy and strong is nothing short of a miracle.

"It really does take a team of compassionate, caring individuals to create these happy endings – from our generous supporters who make all of our work possible, to our animal cruelty investigators, our shelter and veterinary staff, the amazing volunteers who give so generously of their time and skills and, ultimately, to the wonderful new guardians who take these animals into their homes and their hearts," said BC SPCA Community Relations Manager Lorie Chortyk.

The BC SPCA investigates more than 10,000 cruelty cases each year.

Trooper's original owner, Michael Schneider, was handed a $2,000 fine and a decade-long ban on owning animals. Despite pleading guilty for animal cruelty, he never provided an explanation for his horrific treatment of the young dog.

All this week, CTV Vancouver is highlighting success stories of the BC SPCA in advance of Paws for a Cause. Click here to learn more.