When a small stray dog arrived at a Los Angeles, California, shelter, staff members were left speechless. The little pup was nearly hairless, and nobody could quite figure out why.
At first, the workers suspected that her lack of fur might have been due to mange, scabies, or perhaps severe allergies. But since the shelter lacked the resources to run proper diagnostic tests, they had no way of knowing for sure.
The poor dog, later given the name Blossom, spent her days in a kennel feeling itchy and miserable. Despite her condition, she remained hopeful. She seemed to believe that sooner or later, someone would notice her and come to her aid.
A Kindhearted Stranger Steps In
Around that time, dog enthusiast Gretchen May was looking to add another furry friend to her family. One day, while browsing through shelter listings, a photo of a nearly bald pup with wrinkled skin caught her attention.
May couldn’t ignore the sadness she saw in the dog’s eyes. Something inside told her this was the one she was meant to help.
“She just looked so pitiful in the shelter photo, yet so sweet at the same time. I just felt so bad for her, as itchy and uncomfortable as she was, sitting in the shelter untreated on a stray hold for seven days! And I wondered who else would be crazy enough to take a chance on such an unknown mess,” May told The Dodo.
She quickly reached out to Precious Pals Pet Rescue, sharing Blossom’s photo and explaining her wish to adopt her.
When the rescuers saw the frail pup themselves, their hearts melted instantly. They agreed to pull her from the shelter without hesitation.
Finally In Safe Hands
Blossom was taken to the vet for a thorough checkup. She was diagnosed with kennel cough, a respiratory infection, ear problems, and several wounds across her body. Skin scrapings were also taken in hopes of solving the riddle of her baldness.
The rescue team was heartbroken at the extent of Blossom’s neglect.
“Her skin shows years of neglect and her eyes show signs of mild cataracts from all the years she lived outside and had to endure all the sunlight we have here in So.Cal. We can’t wait to have her feel better,” Precious Pals Pet Rescue shared on Facebook.
After spending the night under veterinary care, Blossom was finally welcomed into her new forever home.
Though she still had a long recovery ahead, Blossom looked more relaxed now that she was surrounded by kindness. May gave her constant affection and began tending carefully to her needs.
The test results revealed that Blossom didn’t have scabies or mange after all, her vets believed allergies were to blame. She began taking medication and receiving regular medicated baths. Slowly but surely, her skin started healing, becoming softer and healthier.
Within a month, some patches of fur had grown back, though she was still mostly bald. Her new family remained hopeful that, with time, the allergies would improve and her coat would return.
A Past Shrouded In Mystery
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Blossom’s background remained an enigma. No one really knew what breed she was or how long she had been living on the streets.
Her new family assumed she must have once had fur, but whether it would ever fully return was uncertain—her delicate skin seemed to suggest otherwise.
“…We suspect she’s mostly Chihuahua. But since her fur is longer it is possible she is mixed with a hairless breed or terrier or Maltese,” May explained.
In truth, her breed didn’t matter. What mattered was that Blossom had finally found people who cherished her just as she was.
Thriving in Her New Life
Thanks to plenty of love and medical care, Blossom flourished. While she still struggles with allergies, they are kept under control with regular treatments and bi-weekly medicated baths.
She now enjoys a joyful life in San Diego, California, with her adoring family. Blossom has her very own Instagram page where she entertains followers with daily updates and silly reels.
The little dog loves dressing up in cute outfits, snuggling close to her family, and occasionally stealing socks for fun.
Blossom’s journey proves that even the most neglected animals can blossom into happy, cherished companions when given love and a second chance.