A rescue organization is up for saving any dog, even when that dog may not even be a dog at all...
Back in January of 2016, a woman was walking down the street in her Los Angeles neighborhood when she spotted what appeared to be a homeless dog. She snapped a picture of what appeared to be a “wolf”, and texted it to the California rescue group, Hope for Paws.
Her species, what appeared to be a wolfdog hybrid, is what stood out the most about this animal, and this would be a first for the team. They jumped into their vehicles and raced to find her.
When they arrived on the scene, they found her. She was about to enter a fenced yard, and the team was able to close the gate and surround her. When they took a closer look, they realized the situation was far worse than they had originally predicted.
Julia, the name that they had given her, was in terrible condition.
This poor girl was so swollen from infections. She was bleeding, pus was oozing from everywhere, and it’s hard to see because of this coat, but she was just skin and bones,” Eldad Hagar, Hope for Paws founder wrote.
The only sign of her past was the old, tattered rope around her neck.
That indicates to me that someone owned and neglected her to a criminal level.”
Poor Julia, due to her rough experience with humans was wary of them at first. The team needed to gain her trust. Rescuer Lisa Chiarelli sat down across from the dog and gave her treats, slowly gaining her trust.
“Even though Julia was so skinny and starved, she took food so gently,”
Hagar also wrote.
After about 20 minutes, Chiarelli was able to slip her lucky leash around Julia’s neck. They were even able to pet her, and she eagerly accepted.
Julia was so confused, so tired, and it was so nice that she accepted our touch almost instantly.”
After a conversation with the homeowner, who wondered why a crowd of people were in her yard, the rescue team coaxed the wolf dog into their car and rushed her to the vet.
From there, they could see the extent of Julia’s injuries. A test showed that she suffered from demodectic mange, which caused hair loss and swollen skin. Her paws were also sore and inflamed, and her nails were overgrown to the point that they were curling over, causing her discomfort.
“She is only 2 years old, but such an old soul… I can’t even imagine what she had gone through during all this time since she was born.”
Her thick coat covered her injuries. The rescuers only started to realize the extent of her injuries when they got her into a special, medicated bath.
When we got the water running, we noticed right away how skinny she was. Just awful to see.”
The sores and dirt dappling her sickly body started to uncover when the water hit her. It began to break down her scabs. She began to bleed everywhere.
As the dirt and blood was coming down into the tub, Julia changed from a grey and red to a black and yellow.”
Even in her pain and confusion, Julia learned that the humans around her wanted to help, and not hurt her.
As Lisa grabbed a towel, Julia just rested her head on Lisa’s arm. She was happy it was over.”
After the biggest day of her life, and a check up by Dr. Ingram, she was tucked into bed, and was sound asleep.
Her first few days, Julia didn’t eat much and was still wary of her surroundings. It would take a while to heal her from the trauma she experienced in the first few years of her life. The team checked on her and gave her treats, slowly building her trust.
Today I took Julia and we sat together outside for an hour. We enjoyed each other’s company, we looked at the people who looked at us and probably thought to themselves ‘look at this guy sitting there with a wolf.’”
Pretty soon, Julia wagged her tail when she saw the team, excited to receive treats and affection.
After months of rehabilitation, and a DNA test that identified her as a Husky German Shepard mix, Julia was ready to be put up for adoption!
She went to a foster home for a few months, where she thrived and learned how to live with a family.
After coming from the foster home, was recently adopted, and found a forever home with a family who will cherish and love her forever. She now lives with a couple and has three brothers and sisters. This goes to show no matter your situation, your life can be turned around.
Just like what happened with Julia the “wolf dog”. She is now an amazing member of the family, and just in time for Christmas as well. <3
Hope you enjoyed reading this story! I would add more images of her transformation but unfortunately you can only have twenty images max. :(
If you want more information on Julia, go to HopeforPaws.org, where you can watch the video of her amazing turn-around! <3
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