When rescuers from Mission Paws’ible spotted a stray dog roaming the streets of Uluwatu, Bali, they could barely believe what they were seeing. The dog was severely emaciated, his skin raw and scabbed, and he had almost no fur left on his body.
“It was heartbreaking to see him in that condition,” said Prue Barber, founder of Mission Paws’ible.
The pup was clearly in desperate need of medical attention, but more than that, he needed patience and compassion. He was scared and skittish, with little trust left for humans.
Barber made it her mission to help him. She visited him daily, bringing food and gently working to earn his trust. Over time, the dog began to let his guard down. After a week, he allowed her to lift him into her car — a moment that marked the beginning of his new life.
Barber named him Buzz and rushed him to a vet, where treatment began immediately.
“Buzz didn’t need much — just skin medication, time, and love,” Mission Paws’ible shared on their website.
At first, no one knew what kind of dog Buzz was. He was so sick and hairless that it was impossible to tell his breed. But as his skin began to heal and small tufts of fur grew in, clues started to appear — long strands of silky, golden hair.
To everyone’s astonishment, Buzz was a golden retriever.
As his golden coat returned, so did his confidence. Buzz blossomed into a calm, affectionate dog who seemed to love everyone he met.
“Unsurprisingly, he was incredibly friendly,” Barber said. “He was just a chill dog.”
Barber decided to foster him until the right adopter came along. It didn’t take long — a woman who runs an acrobatics school in Bali met Buzz and instantly fell in love. She adopted him, giving him a home where he could continue to thrive.
Now, Buzz spends his days lounging at the studio, making friends with visitors and sometimes joining in the fun with his own playful moves.
His transformation is nothing short of incredible — from a frightened, hairless stray to a joyful, golden companion.
“It’s hard to believe he was ever on the streets,” Barber said. “He’s just a pure soul.”
To help rescue more animals like Buzz, you can support Mission Paws’ible here.
