The female Lhasa apso puppy was left in a dumpster behind a gas station in West Islip, but amazingly was able to chew her way out of the plastic bags and a cardboard box.
The Islip Animal Shelter began accepting applications Wednesday and screening potential adopters for Miracle's permanent home.
Applications for adoption must be filled out in person at the shelter in Bay Shore. They will be accepted Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between noon and 2 p.m.
A kennel attendant at the animal shelter, 30-year old Michael Papini, was charged with dumping the dog and faces charges of aggravated animal cruelty and animal abandonment.
West Islip resident James Luccisano was the one who called police after his friend showed him the pup.
"She wouldn't respond, we were tapping on the dumpster but she wouldn't respond," he said. "I really thought she was done for."
Police scoured the gas station's surveillance camera footage and discovered video of a man putting the dog into the dumpster.
"The dog was very docile," said Det. Paul Llobell of the Suffolk SPCA. "It's a lovely pet. A lovely dog."
