How often do you come across a rare Tibetan Mastiff being walked down the street, let alone wandering alone? Almost never, and I’d say me neither.
Recently, pedestrians in Chicago, Illinois, got the unusual chance to see a massive TM roaming the streets. Sadly, her condition was far from okay.
This dog, named Sprout, was so heavily matted that she was practically the definition of a severely neglected pup. Fortunately, her rescuers were close by and ready to help.
Definitely Not An Everyday Sight
When the Chicago-based rescue One Tail at a Time (OTAT) was contacted by animal care about Sprout, they immediately leapt into action.
She was found in visible discomfort, dragging over thirty pounds of matted fur along the ground. Just looking at her, it was obvious… that had to hurt. And yes, it did.
Instead of enjoying life like any other dog, Sprout had been battling multiple health issues caused by the mats. On top of that, she’d been surviving without proper shelter in harsh conditions.
Her skin was inflamed, and she had a severe infection that needed urgent treatment. Thankfully, she landed in the perfect place to get the help she needed.
Right after arrival, the OTAT team created a care plan to get her back on her paws as soon as possible. Hours later, she was sedated and placed on the operating table, ready for the start of her transformation.
The rescue’s social media post showed staff in surgical scrubs, spending hours shaving away the heavy mats.
An Instagram video revealed the entire process, tedious, exhausting, and anything but easy.
The end result, however, made every effort worth it.
Everyone, Meet Sprout, Now A Brand-New Pup
If you’ve ever walked out of a salon feeling like a brand-new person, imagine what shedding thirty pounds of fur feels like for a dog!
That’s exactly what happened to Sprout. After an intense grooming session, she barely resembled her old self, but the most important change was that she was finally pain-free.
“We removed 32.4 lbs of mats that tugged on her skin causing pain, irritation, and a raging skin infection. For the first time in who knows how long, Sprout can urinate, defecate, walk, and lay down without pain,” the Illinois rescue stated on social media.
Her incredible transformation quickly spread online. The story behind her gentle eyes, now bright and full of life, touched thousands of people rooting for her recovery.
Today, Sprout is thriving in a loving foster home arranged by OTAT, where she can decompress and learn to enjoy the comforts of an indoor life.
“Sprout is taking some time to decompress while figuring out what inside life is all about,” the rescue shared.
After all she’s endured, she’s finally able to show her true personality… sweet, gentle, and full of charm.
One thing is certain: from here on, her days will be filled with nothing but love. When she’s ready, she’ll set off on a new adventure,this time, to her forever home.
Good luck, sweet girl. You deserve all the happiness in the world.