Malliotakis fosters ‘Aquaman,’ dog thrown in Harlem River, helps him to find a forever home

What started off as a meeting with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) turned into fostering a dog and finding him a forever home.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) fostered Aqua, short for Aquaman , the dog that made headlines when he was thrown into the Harlem River, for a week.

“It all happened real sudden,” Malliotakis told the Advace/SILive.com.

“I happened to be in Manhattan for a meeting with the organization to do a collaborative event on the huskies that were rescued on Staten Island. They took me on a tour of the facility, explained the programs, and talked about how they work with abuse cases and the NYPD, and then they took me to the adoptable pets.”

This was the first time Malliotakis laid eyes on the 60-pound pitbull mix.

“He just stood out to me. He was well behaved, standing there with a curious look on his face,” she said. “I asked, ‘Who is this?’ and they told me he was the dog rescued in the river and I remember I had earlier retweeted about the heroic save.”

Malliotakis explained that she continued the tour of the facility and saw other animals, but wanted to see Aqua one more time before she left.

The ASPCA allowed Malliotakis to play with him for a bit and she even got to take him for a walk.

“I went home that day and I couldn’t stop thinking about him and felt he was very adaptable, very sweet, and I wanted to help,” said Malliotakis.

Since she would be home through Labor Day before heading back to Washington, D.C., she thought about fostering, hoping to help find Aquaman his forever home.

She explained that when she picked him up at the ASPCA Shelter, Aquaman was very rambunctious.

“On the ride home from 92nd Street in Manhattan to Von Briesen Park, Rosebank, he destroyed a toy duck and punctured a water bottle in the back seat,” said Malliotakis. “One of the first pictures I took was at the park and he was very energetic and playful.”

Malliotakis said Aquaman was actually quite friendly and just wanted to be around people -- anywhere she went, Aquaman was in toe ready to meet everybody she came in contact with.

“I’m used to my small chihuahua who weighs five pounds, not this 60-plus pound dog,” Malliotakis laughed. “When I walk, I normally carry my chihuahua for two miles because he doesn’t walk, so it was a big difference.”

During his first night at home on Staten Island, she said he was very “curious” and couldn’t find a place to sleep.

“He was on the couch, on the chair, the floor, and then my bed,” she said. “What was cute was he would put his head over my foot or leg and it seemed that he felt connected with me when he did that. I’m not sure if this is the case, but he may have felt abandoned and afraid of losing his owner, so he just wanted to be with someone.”

Aquaman’s story is partly how he got his name.

On July 19, the FDNY rescued Aquaman from the Harlem River after there were reports of a dog thrown into the water from a bridge.

“Members of Marine 4 saw a person clinging to the dog from shore attempting to keep it afloat,” an Instagram post from the FDNY stated.

Firefighters were able to bring the dog on board and brought him safely to the shore.

“Without the quick response from both the civilian and FDNY members, the outcome for this animal could have been very different,” the FDNY said.

“He basically got his name because he was able to survive in the river,” said Malliotakis.

Malliotakis’ initial thought for adoption would be a firehouse on Staten Island since the FDNY rescued him, however, she said it did not work out.

Malliotakis noted she’s previously had four dogs in the last two decades, but never fostered them before, nor thought of it as an option until she was at the ASPCA.

She explained that fostering dogs is a great alternative for those who are unsure of the commitment that comes with owning a dog, as well as a better alternative for dogs who are currently in a shelter.

“With my busy schedule and travel back and forth to Washington, D.C., I knew I couldn’t keep him, but fostering gave him exercise and the experience in the real world that he deserves,” Malliotakis explained.

According to Malliotakis, the fostering program through the ASPCA is easy and enjoyable.

“They offered me everything I needed for the time Aquaman was with me. The process was super easy -- you fill out an application online, watch a training video, take a quiz and once you pass, you can come in and foster an animal,” said Malliotakis.

The ASPCA said in a statement, “Both adoption and fostering puts shelter animals in safe and loving homes, helps shelters conserve their space and resources, and provides people with comfort and companionship.”

“We are grateful that Representative Malliotakis opened up her heart and home to provide a safe space for Aqua and helped find a loving home to adopt him. The ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City currently has a need for foster caregivers focused on large dogs, who can often be overlooked due to their size, and encourages the public to submit an application by visiting ASPCA.org/FosterNYC.”

Despite his first night being a little tough, Aquaman was comfortable with Malliotakis and was well-behaved enough to go out to eat in public.

Malliotakis said she was able to take Aquaman to Juicy Lucy and Campania on Staten Island, as well as a restaurant in Brooklyn, where he sat under the table.

“He’s a real special dog,” said Malliotakis, who said Aquaman spent Primary Day with her at the campaign office. “He was with us all day, greeting everyone and even got a picture with FDNY firefighters who came out to show support.”

She helped Aquaman get his energy out by taking him for three-mile walks every day in Fort Wadsworth.

“He loves to play fetch and tug-of-war, he destroys toys quick, and loves being active,” Malliotakis said. “He just stole my heart, so I knew I needed to find him someone who would be a good match.”

Though she had until Labor Day, she found Aquaman a loving forever home close by -- and she’ll “visitation rights.”

“I was happy to find him a home in the timeframe,” she said, adding that after spending so much time with Aquaman, she couldn’t bring him back to the shelter. Instead, she was the one who brought him to his new home.

“What made it an easy transition was that he got to meet the new owners and become comfortable with them in the process,” she said. “And get to stay in his life.”

Malliotakis said she misses Aquaman, but is thrilled she gave him the opportunity to see Staten Island’s parks and her favorite place -- Fort Wadsworth.