Dog With 5-Pound Lion-Like Mane Becomes A New Pup After Grooming
This is the story of a dog so badly neglected that his own fur buried him, leaving him blind and unrecognizable.
Thankfully, a dedicated team rescued him from this tragic situation. But beneath all that matted fur, an even bigger issue was lurking.
A Rescue’s Miracle: Giuseppe’s Transformation
When the team at Española Humane (EH) first saw a neglected pup that looked more like a living rug than a dog, they were stunned.
Source: Española Humane
His matted fur was so extreme that it was impossible to tell his front from his back!
“It took my breath away when I saw him (...) The only way we could tell which end was which was because we could see his mouth,” said Mattie Allen, EH’s director of communications, said to The Dodo.
The poor pup had been confined to a small crate in someone’s yard, leaving him no room to move or receive proper care. Without anyone to brush his fur, it had become a painful, tangled mess.
A Much-Needed Makeover And A Shocking News
The rescue staff wasted no time in getting to work. They knew the pup, now named Giuseppe, was in pain.
He was terrified because he couldn’t see, and his matted fur made every movement agonizing.
To ease his suffering, the team carried Giuseppe to the operating room and sedated him, allowing them to start removing the heavy mats.
Source: Española Humane
“I think it took about an hour to shave it all off. It was 5 pounds of fur,” Allen explained.
Once the mats were gone, Giuseppe felt like a new dog. He quietly sat on his bed, taking in the world that had been hidden from him for so long.
Source: Española Humane
After the 5-pound coat was removed, the vet made a shocking discovery: Giuseppe was dangerously obese due to hypothyroidism, a condition that affects the thyroid gland and can lead to weight gain and other health issues.
His obesity had also impacted his ability to walk and breathe properly.
A Better Future Ahead
Giuseppe’s journey isn’t over yet, but he’s in good hands.
The team at EH is committed to helping him every step of the way.
“He just needs time and love” Allen said.
Though Giuseppe isn’t ready for adoption yet, his future looks bright.
When he’s fully recovered, Giuseppe will undoubtedly find the perfect home where he’ll be showered with the love and care he deserves.
