For dogs with thick fur, life on the streets can be extremely harsh. Their coats often become tangled and matted, leading to painful infections and infestations of fleas and ticks.
The heat becomes oppressive, and even simple tasks like seeing or moving become difficult.
Though the plight of these animals is distressing, there is hope. Committed rescuers are dedicated to taking them off the streets and into loving homes.
Such was the case in Missouri when Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) came across a dog whose coat had become a mass of mats. The rescuers were amazed at the transformation beneath all that fur.
What started as a typical day at SRSL quickly changed when a kind individual brought in a small, severely matted dog. They asked if the shelter could accommodate one more dog, and the team immediately said yes.
SRSL shared on Facebook: “Someone brought in this tiny, matted pup they found. Of course, we said YES! We’ll get this little lady all fixed up.”
The team named her Wooly and started planning to carefully remove the dense mats covering her.
However, her medical examination revealed her condition was much worse than anticipated. According to SRSL, the tiny 10-pound pup was infested with maggots and suffering immensely.
Without hesitation, rescuers began shaving away her fur. Once freed from the mats, it was clear that her skin was inflamed and infected.
Wooly received medication for the infection and was placed on a special diet to help her recover her strength. Meanwhile, the team worked diligently to find her a medical foster home for continued healing.
The shelter expressed their hopes, saying, “This little angel is being picked up shortly to go to a medical foster home, so she doesn’t have to be in the loud, scary shelter. We want her to be as comfortable as she’s ever been!”
Wooly showed her gratitude immediately. Her tail wagged happily, and her lively personality began to emerge.
Finally, she could relax, no longer needing to worry about finding food or shelter. At last, she was safe and loved.
Just two months later, SRSL shared fantastic news: Wooly had found her forever home.
Her time in foster care had transformed her. She became more outgoing, playful, and ready to embrace life with her new family.
SRSL’s update concluded, noting Wooly’s extraordinary transformation from her arrival: “Woolly arrived unrecognizable as a schnauzer.
She’s an ‘I can’t believe that’s the same dog’ – dog. THIS is why fostering shelter dogs matters! Woolly is living her dream life!”
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