When a Good Samaritan walked into Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) carrying a small, matted dog, the staff could tell immediately she needed help. The poor pup was barely recognizable under the layers of tangled fur that engulfed her tiny body.
“Someone brought in this tiny, matted pup they found,” SRSL wrote on Facebook. “Of course, we said YES! We’ll get this little lady all fixed up.”
They named her Woolly, a fitting nod to the thick, overgrown hair that hid her face and frame. But what rescuers found underneath was far worse than anyone expected.
“This poor, 10-pound pup was being eaten alive,” SRSL revealed. “Her fur was infested with maggots.”
The team immediately began shaving her coat, working carefully mat by mat, until finally, Woolly was nearly hairless.
Each snip revealed more of the reality Woolly had been living in — raw, inflamed skin and deep infections hidden beneath the filth. It was clear she’d been suffering for a long time.
Once free of her heavy, painful coat, Woolly was barely recognizable — and finally able to rest. The team started her on medication and arranged for her to recover in a quiet, loving medical foster home.
“This little angel is going to foster care so she doesn’t have to stay in the loud, scary shelter,” SRSL wrote. “We want her to be as comfortable as she’s ever been.”
Woolly slept deeply her first night in foster care — perhaps the first peaceful sleep she’d had in months.
“Last night was the best night of sleep she’s had in a loooooooong time,” SRSL shared. “She’s clean, she’s FREE, and she’s been nothing but sweet and grateful. What a doll!”
In her foster home, Woolly’s gentle spirit quickly began to shine. Her foster mom, Anne, fell in love almost instantly.
“We hit the jackpot when we took Woolly home. She is a dream dog,” Anne wrote to SRSL. “She’s healing and she’s so happy.”
You can see Woolly playing with her new sister here:
Two months later, Woolly’s transformation was complete — and so was her journey. She officially found her forever home, where she’s thriving as a happy, healthy, playful dog who knows only love.
“Woolly arrived at the shelter unrecognizable as a schnauzer,” SRSL wrote. “Now she’s an ‘I can’t believe that’s the same dog’ kind of dog. THIS is why fostering matters. Woolly is living her dream life!”
To help more dogs like Woolly get the second chance they deserve, you can donate to Stray Rescue of St. Louis here.
