WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
A Texas woman named Abigail was walking to her mailbox when she noticed a “dead animal” under her truck.
But as she stooped down to get a better look, she spotted a faint tail wag and realized that the poor creature was actually a dying dog.
Being an experienced animal rehabilitator, Abigail immediately began working toward rescuing the sickly dog.
Source: Artemis Animal Rescue/Facebook
Initially, Abigail tried to win the dog’s trust with some food. But with severely diseased skin and prolonged starvation, the dog didn’t even have the strength to move forward and grab a few bites.
Abigail somehow put a leash on the dog within the next hour, and rushed her to the vet at Artemis Animal Rescue.
Seeing the dog’s skeletal body and unresponsive state, the vet suspected that she had parvo. But after running a couple of tests, it was confirmed that she simply had a bad case of mange due to neglect.
However, it was her stomach that needed particular medical attention – as the helpless pooch had been consuming hazardous garbage and rotten carcasses to quell her hunger for the past few months.
Her GI tract was completely damaged, and she required a special diet to deal with this life-threatening setback.
Source: The Dodo/YouTube
Abigail named the dog Ellie, and began treating her with medicated baths and nutritious meals.
For the first few days, Ellie completely refused to engage with any human. But once she felt secure in her new surroundings, there was no stopping her!
As the months passed by, Ellie’s scaly skin healed and she grew into her personality as a playful, cuddly dog.
Abigail was surprised when she saw Ellie’s layer of fur growing back – she was a beautiful Golden Retriever mix!
We could never have guessed that, considering how she looked on the day she was found!
Source: The Dodo/YouTube
Apart from hanging out with Abigail, Ellie is now busy being a “play therapist” for other shelter dogs.
Her acquired empathy and friendliness helps her reach out to the most skittish and fearful shelter dogs.
From defying death to making a difference in the lives of other unfortunate dogs – Ellie has truly come a long way!
Click the video below to watch Ellie’s heartbreaking rescue and her stunning transformation.
WARNING: The contents of this video may be disturbing to some viewers.
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10 of the Smartest Dogs in the World:
A friend of mine has a beautiful Dalmatian. Friendly, energetic and lovable, she was a perfect family pet… but she wasn’t the smartest pooch on the planet. See, she knew how to go through the pet door out into the garden, but she had no clue how to get back inside. It never occurred to her that the flap could swing both ways. So she would sit outside and howl until my friend would open the door.
Repeated demonstrations of the dual movement of the flap had no effect; it just did not compute. The dog breeds on this list, however, probably don’t have that problem. They’re widely considered to be among the cleverest canines in the world. Take a look and see if you agree.
1. German Shepherd
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No surprise here. German Shepherds are the world’s best police dogs, military dogs, and some have even been movie stars (remember Rin Tin Tin?). Brave, loyal, smart and strong, they’re the total package.
2. Beagle
Also on the list of the best family-friendly dogs in the world, the Beagle has an incredible nose that lets them sniff out just about anything. Born detectives, they’re not the most trainable pets, but they are smart. And hey, nobody ever accused Snoopy of being dumb.
3. Golden Retriever
A popular choice for assistance dogs for their easy temperament, natural intelligence and loyalty, Golden Retrievers are natural guides and also serve as great rescue dogs. Active and fun to be around, they’re wonderful family pets.
4. Border Collie
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Border Collies are considered by many to be the geniuses of the dog world. Expert herders, laser-focused (they’re known for their intense stare), and incredibly agile to boot, they’re workaholics and excellent athletes. Just don’t expect to keep one cooped up in an apartment.
5. Poodle
Did you know poodles were originally hunting dogs? They respond very well to training and are quick to learn tricks. So don’t let the fluffy looks and styled mane fool you! These dogs are among the smart canines around. Plus, they’re among the best dogs in the world for those who suffer allergies.
6. Belgian Malinois
A terrific military dog, the Malinois is a natural herder, tracker and worker. Smart, trainable and protective, these dogs require an owner who knows what he or she is doing. In addition to the military, Malinois are often recruited as guard dogs and police dogs as well.
7. Papillon
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Named for their butterfly-shaped ears, papillons are small, cute and pretty smart. They’re considered the smartest of the toy dog breed, with intelligence levels comparable to the über-smart border collie. They’re alert and focused pets, and loyal and lovable: an ideal friend for he family.
8. Doberman
Sadly, Dobermans are known more for their ferocity than their smarts, but these are considered among the most intelligent dogs in the world, as well as one of the most effective guard dogs around. They’re outstanding students known to be affectionate and obedient.
9. Bloodhound
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Don’t let the wrinkles and dopey expression fool you! Bloodhounds have the keenest of noses, and are often used for trailing (so much so that their evidence can be used in court against you!). These are loving but strong-willed dogs, and are often used on search and rescue missions.
10. Australian Cattle Dog
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You need a smart, determined and energetic dog to control unruly cows. And that’s just what the Australian Cattle Dog, or ACD, does. They’re intelligent enough to herd these much larger creatures, and while they need their independence and wide open spaces, they’re eager workers who know how to get the job done.
Did we miss your brainy dog on this list? If so, write in and let us know about it!
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