A dog with thick dreadlocks looks like a brand new pooch after groomers gave him a three-hour makeover – and shaved off 4.5lbs of matted fur.
Rags, a three or four year old Shih Tzu mix, was rescued by an animal non-profit after a homeowner said he had wandered into their yard.
Volunteers at Clarksdale Animal Rescue Effort and Shelter said he was “covered in the thickest mats we’ve ever seen” – which were too dense to cut with scissors
The neglected dog walked with bowed legs because his fur was tangled so tightly and had hundreds of fleas and sores beneath his coat.
But after three hours of TLC from two staff members and a volunteer at the rescue in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Rags was totally transformed.
CARES board member and publicity officer Paige Daugherty said: “He looks like a different dog and I think he’s proud of his new look.
“After killing the fleas and giving him a medicated bath, he’s much more comfortable than he’s been in quite some time.
“We gave him a plush bed that he seems to really love so he slept much of the weekend but is happy and energetic now.”
Rags was rescued on Friday evening and underwent his transformation over the weekend.
Paige said: “The person that brought him in said they had been feeding him for a few weeks after he wandered into their yard but made it clear he did not belong to them.
“His body was covered in the thickest mats that we’ve ever seen. We’ve never seen this much hair on a dog this size!
“They were dread-lock type texture that scissors couldn’t cut- assumed from years of neglect.
“His ears were hanging low with 7 inch mats on each side. His skin was pulled tight.
“Rags’ front legs were unable to straighten when he walked because mats connected at his elbows, so his front legs are bowed inward.
“Beneath the mats were hundreds of fleas and sores from the flea bites, which we treated immediately.
“It took two staff members and a volunteer over three hours with several clippers to carefully remove the mats, which weighed 4.5 pounds once off his body.
“Despite his circumstances, he was a perfect gentleman while we worked on him and seemed completely grateful.
“He bravely stood still and quiet with little restraint even when he was obviously in pain.”
Now the shelter is raising money to pay for Rags to have treatment for heartworm, which he tested positive for.
Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm spread by mosquitoes which can be deadly and cause complications like heart failure, but with treatment, most dogs can be cured.
The adorable pup is also looking for a new home and the shelter is appealing for possible adopters to get in touch.
To find out more visit www.caresclarksdale.com and donations can be made via PayPal to the shelter’s account, caresclarksdale@gmail.com.
