How often do you come across a rare Tibetan Mastiff in the streets? Likely never! Recently, however, fortunate bystanders in Chicago spotted a massive TM. Unfortunately, her condition was far from perfect; named Sprout, she epitomized a terribly matted pup, with fur tangled all over her body. Thankfully, her caregivers were nearby!
Definitely Not An Everyday Sight
When One Tail at a Time in Chicago learned about Sprout from animal care services, they swiftly took action. Sprout was in excruciating pain, dragging over thirty pounds of matted fur behind her. Observers must have thought, “That definitely hurts.” And it certainly did.
Instead of enjoying a typical dog’s life, Sprout had to endure several health issues linked to her matted fur while struggling to withstand harsh living conditions without adequate shelter. Her condition involved irritated skin and a severe infection, necessitating urgent treatment. Fortunately, OTAT was the perfect organization for her care.
Upon her arrival, the rescue team swiftly devised a strategy to rehabilitate this sweet girl. Hours later, Sprout was sedated and prepped for surgery, ready for her transformation. The OTAT team shared images of their staff in scrubs, dedicating hours to meticulously shave off her excessive fur.
An Instagram video shared by OTAT illustrated the meticulous process that was anything but easy. However, the result made every effort worthwhile, stirring hearts everywhere!
Everyone, Meet Sprout, Now A Brand-New Pup
Have you ever looked in the mirror after a fresh haircut and thought, “Wow, I look like a brand-new person?” Now, consider what shedding thirty pounds of fur does for a dog!
That’s right! After an extensive grooming session, Sprout transformed into a completely different dog. She looked unrecognizable as her old self, but more importantly, she was finally free from pain.
“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 shared on social media.
Sprout’s amazing transformation captured hearts on social media, with her story reaching thousands, who empathized with her innocent eyes finding light once again after enduring so much.
Indeed, she’s on a path filled with love, as OTAT ensured she found a wonderful, caring foster home where she can relax and truly learn what it means to be a dog.
“Sprout is taking her time to decompress while learning about life indoors,” the rescue shared. Now, after enduring difficult times, she can showcase her true colors and reveal her charming personality.
One thing’s for certain: her future is bound to be full of love. When the time is right, she’ll embark on another rewarding journey, hopefully to a forever home filled with warmth.
Good luck, sweet girl! It’s heartwarming to see you shine again!
