Taking care of dogs is no small task. They rely on us to keep them healthy, well-fed, and properly groomed so they can enjoy the lives they deserve.
That is why it feels so heartbreaking when we are reminded of how tough survival is for strays who have no one to care for them.
So many end up sick, starved, and matted, their bodies weighed down by neglect. Rudolph knew that reality all too well.
He had been fighting to get by on the streets, with fur so tangled he could barely move, until rescuers from Seattle Animal Shelter arrived and changed everything.
A Shocking Sight
Once Rudolph was brought to safety, he quickly settled into his new surroundings. He was such a sweet and social pup that it was instantly easy to be around him.
But it didn’t take long for rescuers to realize just how badly he needed a grooming session. His fur was in terrible shape, tangled and clumped so severely that it was affecting his daily life.
Melissa Mixon, who works with Seattle Animal Shelter, told Newsweek: “He kept bumping into walls and seemed to startle easily, probably because he couldn’t see well.”
His rescuers were unsure of how long he had been left like this, or what exactly had happened to him. It was possible he had once belonged to someone, but there was no way to know for certain.
Mixon added: “His movement was also restricted because of the severity of the matting, and he was unable to take full strides when he was walking. This kept him from moving very quickly and moving his head and neck around freely.”
For a dog like Rudolph, regular grooming should have been a necessity. Instead, he had clearly been ignored for far too long. A scan revealed he did not have a microchip.
A Fresh Start With A Brand New Coat
Without an owner to contact, the rescuers scheduled him for grooming right away. The process took over an hour and a half as every bit of tangled fur was carefully removed.
When it was finally done, Rudolph’s transformation was unbelievable. Free from the heavy matting, he seemed like a brand-new dog. He lit up with joy, running and bouncing around the room.
His caregivers were overjoyed to see the difference. After all, how could he not feel relief now that such a heavy burden was lifted?
Mixon said: “When taken out into the corral later that week, Rudolph was springing up in the air with his legs flailing like a baby giraffe having the time of his life.”
Since he didn’t have any major health problems beyond his neglected coat, Rudolph was able to move forward quickly on the adoption list.
It didn’t take long before he caught the eye of a family who wanted to make him theirs.
Today, Rudolph has everything he could have ever needed. His new parents make sure he is cared for, loved, and never ignored again.
This once-forgotten pup is finally living the life he was always meant to have.