Stray Pup Who Could Barely Stand Becomes 'Different Dog' With A Little TLC

Last year, a family rescued a sick stray dog ​​from the streets of New York City. After caring for it for a few days, they realized it needed more intensive treatment than they could provide, so they took it to AMA Animal Rescue.

When the dog arrived at the rescue center, he wasn't feeling well. He was covered in a skin infection all over his body and was extremely terrified of humans. His paws were so badly inflamed with mange that he could hardly even stand.

"The moment we saw him, we knew he was in a terrible state," Maria Vlasova, co-founder of AMA Animal Rescue, told The Dodo. "His skin was in tatters, his nails were severely overgrown, and he was clearly in pain."

For AMA Animal Rescue, the decision to foster the dog and help him get better was a no-brainer. They named him "Choco" and quickly took him to the vet.

Because he needed intensive medical care, they decided to keep him at the vet's clinic until he recovered and was transferred to a foster family. The 15/10 Foundation financially supported Choco's extended stay at the clinic.

Chocco was treated with antibiotics and several medicated baths weekly. Over time, he gradually began to feel better.

"As his skin began to heal and the pain subsided, it was like watching a new dog leave the hospital," Vlasova said. "His paws stopped being inflamed, and he was able to walk, then run, without pain."

As Choco's physical health improved, he became calmer and happier. He allowed the shelter staff and medical team to get to know him more and more, and everyone loved his personality.

"With the people he saw regularly and felt safe with, he gradually opened up," Vlasova said. "He let them interact with him, and we saw the first signs of trust replace fear. It was truly beautiful to see this transformation."

When it came time to transfer Choco to a foster home, one of the clinic's receptionists volunteered. She had known Choco since the first day he was brought to the rescue, and they developed a special bond. She wanted to see his transformation complete.

Choco ended up thriving in his foster environment. He quickly became part of the family and made friends with his foster mother's other dog. When his foster mother came to work at the clinic, she would take Choco with her, where he would "wander the halls like he was part of the team."

"In the end, it turned out this wasn't just a temporary foster home; it was a home," Vlasova said.

Choco had a happy ending with someone who helped him every step of his recovery journey. Now, Choco is a completely different person than the dog he'd been dumped at the rescue center. He's playful, playful, loyal, and, most importantly, he knows he's loved.