Caring for a dog is a lifelong responsibility, but sadly, not every owner understands or accepts that.
In Houston, Texas, one unfortunate pup was chained outdoors in miserable conditions for six long years.
She was ill, severely underweight, and in desperate need of veterinary care – care her owner refused to provide.
Thankfully, the persistence of rescuers, local street feeders, and animal control officers paid off. They convinced the owner to surrender the poor dog, allowing her to finally receive the help she had been denied for so long.
The First Step Toward Hope
When rescuers received the call about a dog living in dreadful conditions, they acted immediately.
Determined to persuade the owner, they headed over, but nothing could have prepared them for what they saw.
“He walked us over to an open garage in the backyard, where she was hiding. She looked like a skeleton, cowering in the corner. It was clear that she had mange and needed help a long time ago,” the rescuer told The Dodo.
When asked about her last vet visit, the owner admitted it had been more than three years.
Despite the heartbreaking situation, the rescuers succeeded in convincing him to surrender her.
She was gently placed in a crate and transported to safety, leaving behind years of neglect.
Waiting eagerly for her arrival was Caitie Evers of Caitie’s Foster Fam, a non-profit rescue group. She was ready to foster the fragile pup, later named Marilyn, and begin her journey toward healing.
“She had no meat on her bones, no fur. Dogs show so much emotion in their ears, and when we first had her, her ears – they were downwards and sad,” Caitie said.
Marilyn’s condition was dire: completely bald, battling both demodex and sarcoptic mange, covered in fleas, suffering from painful skin infections, dangerously underweight, and worn down from years of repeated litters.
Ironically, everything was treatable – despite her owner’s claims of spending thousands on failed treatments.
A Stunning Transformation
The moment Marilyn arrived at her foster home, treatment began.
Caitie shared her progress on Facebook, writing: “Marilyn is getting a bath a week per doctor’s orders. She is not a fan. But she is so sweet and patient with me. She’s getting antifungal and anti-yeast medication, steroids, flea/tick preventative, antibiotics, and medicated baths.”
After just one week, noticeable improvements could already be seen.
Marilyn’s days were simple: eat, sleep, endure her baths, and slowly regain her strength.
“A month and a half into it was when she started feeling healthy enough. Now, her ears were just straight up, happy, and alert,” Caitie recalled.
Soon, Marilyn looked like a completely different dog. With her shiny new coat, cheerful smile, and full health restored, she was finally ready for the next step – finding a forever family.
A Forever Home At Last
Despite everything she endured, Marilyn’s greatest joy was still human affection.
After months of fostering in Houston, paired with dedicated training to ease her reactivity toward other dogs, the rescue made a decision.
“After months of no interest in Houston and lots of training (and progress) on her reactivity to other dogs, we decided the best decision for Marilyn was to transport her to Wisconsin to be adopted,” Caitie said in a post.
In her new home by Lake Michigan, Marilyn – now lovingly renamed Nala – finally got the life she always deserved.
She now has a feline best friend named Jasmine, and her days are filled with love, comfort, and endless affection from her family.
After years of suffering, Nala is thriving – a true testament to resilience, love, and the kindness of those who never gave up on her.
Follow her happy new life on Instagram at @nala.marilyn.