Recent times have seen a significant increase in cases of dog abandonment, neglect, and even cruelty.
Shelters are overwhelmed, and there are often dogs found in varying conditions wandering the streets.
Consider the level of neglect required for someone to see a dog on the street and not even recognize it as a dog; that’s an entirely different level of distress.
The focus of today’s narrative was in such a dire state: a four-year-old dog so matted that he bore a closer resemblance to a sheep.
Nevertheless, he triumphed over everything.
Their First New Year Rescue
On January 3, 2022, Barking Mad Dog Rescue shared in a Facebook post about their first New Year’s rescue. They discovered an extremely matted dog roaming the BMDR area, shocking everyone when they first saw him.
“The shelter is situated in a somewhat secluded area, so we suspect someone may have abandoned him there for us to discover. We have no details on his past or how he became so badly treated,” stated Hayley, the adoption team leader at BMDR, in a comment to The Dodo.
His matting was so severe that, initially, it was hard to even identify him as a dog. Compounding this was the alarming state of his emotional health.
“He was TERRIFIED and resisted being touched or handled,” Hayley recounted.
Yet, the dedicated staff at the shelter, under Haley’s guidance, was resolute in their mission to aid Barney, as he would later be named, and facilitate his recovery.
Shedding The Weight Off Of The Poor Guy
One dedicated staff member, Aura, was able to establish a bit of trust with Barney—something others had struggled to do.
She managed to trim some fur obstructing his sight, but unfortunately, his fear and sore condition made it impossible for a more thorough grooming.
On January 5, BMDR announced in a Facebook post that “Barny will be visiting the vet on Friday for anesthesia, allowing for the removal of all those painful mats.”
With the love of his rescuers and an exceptionally gentle veterinarian, Barny underwent a remarkable transformation.
“He may feel a bit fatigued and confused for a day or two, but we anticipate showcasing a much happier dog shortly,” BMDR remarked in their Facebook post.
Although the heaviest burden had been alleviated, Barney still faced a lengthy road to full recovery.
In a subsequent post, Barking Mad Dog Rescue informed their followers and Barny supporters alike that he also had a broken leg. Regrettably, his veterinarian, Dr. Paul, confirmed that due to the age of the fracture, amputation would be necessary.
After all that care and love, Barney transformed into the happiest dog imaginable.
The rescuers who saved him recognized the bright future that lay ahead.
What A Transformation That Was
Approximately six months after his rescue, on May 21, BMDR posted on Facebook, Facebook post: “Do you remember Barney?”, showcasing an incredible before-and-after transformation photo.
Barney emerged as an entirely different dog compared to the one that had first entered the shelter. While there was still much healing ahead for him, witnessing his gradual transformation into a more sociable creature was a joy for the shelter staff.
“Barny has shown his lively personality and adapted well to the shelter,” Hayley noted. “He’s building trust and improving with each passing day.”
Ultimately, Barney began to welcome contact and even hugs. This was a significant indicator that he was progressing positively.
As he bravely faced and surmounted his challenges, we have no doubts that Barney will eventually find his well-deserved happy ending.
Here’s hoping for Barney.
