Our pets depend on us to keep them healthy and clean.
Even though they can manage some grooming on their own, nothing compares to a proper bath and professional care, especially for dogs with soft, flowing fur.
When brushing is neglected, that beautiful coat can quickly turn into a nightmare. Mats begin to form, making life uncomfortable and even painful.
Sadly, this is exactly what happened to Precious, the dog at the center of today’s story.
A Mystery Pup Covered In Matted Fur
When a heavily matted bundle of fur was carried into the Central Missouri Humane Society (CMHS), the staff had no idea what they were looking at.
The person who brought it in explained that the dog had been discovered curled up in a tiny dog bed in a supermarket parking lot.
The team jumped into action, determined to free the poor pup from the suffocating mess of hair.
The matting was so bad that it had become a home for fleas, and it even kept the dog from walking.
The Long Journey Back To Health
The veterinary team decided to put Precious under anesthesia to spare her any pain while they worked. The grooming process took nearly three hours.
Her condition was shocking. The mats had forced one of her eyes completely shut, and her nails were so overgrown that they pierced into her paw pads.
Once all that fur was shaved away, she finally got a well-earned bath.
For the first time in who knows how long, Precious looked like a dog again. But there was one problem: she still couldn’t walk.
X-rays revealed the heartbreaking truth. Precious had lived in this state for so long that her paws were severely deformed. Worse yet, the scans showed multiple broken bones.
The shelter reached out to the orthopedic specialists at Missouri Vet Med, hoping for good news.
What they heard was crushing. The experts said there were no treatment options beyond managing her symptoms and keeping her comfortable.
But the compassionate team at CMHS refused to give up on Precious.
A Loving Home And A Fresh Start
As soon as they told her story, Precious quickly found a foster family.
Her foster parents gave her all the comfort and patience she needed, slowly helping her regain some strength.
Her fur grew back soft and shiny, and she managed to sit up on her own again.
Not long after, thanks to all the love and care she received, Precious found her forever home.
At last, she was living the happy life she deserved, surrounded by love every day.
Precious Becomes An Ambassador For Kindness
Brave and resilient, Precious went on to inspire an incredible movement called “Be Kind.”
Now, she travels across the country visiting schools and colleges, sharing her story and teaching others a powerful lesson: every life matters, it’s okay to be different, and we should always be kind to both animals and each other.
