When rescuers first met Frodo, it was hard to believe he was even a dog. His tiny body was covered in mange, his fur had nearly vanished, and his eyes were painfully swollen from infection.
To many, he looked frightening — but all he really needed was someone to see past the scars.
Last May, Good Samaritans in Croatia spotted Frodo wandering alone and contacted animal rescuer Klaudija Sigurnjak. Even she was stunned by his condition.
“I could hardly believe it was really a dog,” Sigurnjak said. “I knew I had to help him.”
And that was the moment everything began to change for Frodo.
Sigurnjak coaxed Frodo with food, gently earning his trust before rushing him to the vet.
His health was dire — malnourished, crawling with fleas and ticks, and fighting a severe eye infection. Specialists were forced to remove one eye, though they managed to save the other.
His survival was uncertain.
But Frodo wasn’t ready to give up. Little Frodo proved to everyone that he's a fighter.
Week by week, the frail little stray began to heal.
His skin cleared, his red fur grew back, and his true personality finally shone through.
The once “scary” dog transformed into a handsome, spirited pup full of life and love.
“His transformation was phenomenal,” Sigurnjak said. “We never dreamt he would be so beautiful.”
When Frodo was finally strong enough, he was put up for adoption — and quickly caught the eye of Marko Duspara and his wife, who instantly knew he was meant to be theirs.
“I honestly can’t imagine what happened to him back then,” Duspara said. “Now he’s a happy dog who knows he’s loved — and if he plays his cards right, he’ll get whatever he wants.”
These days, Frodo spends his time sprinting across fields, his favorite hobby and a perfect symbol of his unstoppable spirit. Once a stray that people turned away from, he now runs freely, surrounded by love.
