Matted Tibetan Mastiff Gets A Fresh Start In Chicago After Losing 30 Pounds Of Fur
Sprout, a stunning Tibetan Mastiff from Chicago, has a history as tangled as her fur.
Not long ago, this gentle dog was alone, struggling through the streets of Chicago with her heavy, matted coat dragging behind her.
Luckily, some compassionate locals noticed her distress at a busy intersection and immediately reached out to Chicago Animal Care & Control.
That moment marked a turning point for Sprout, beginning a whole new chapter in her life!
When Sprout noticed the Chicago Animal Care & Control officers approaching, she walked toward them, seemingly understanding that help had finally arrived.
She hopped into their vehicle on her own, visibly relieved that someone was there to rescue her.
The officers immediately contacted One Tail At A Time, a local pet rescue organization, to update them on Sprout’s situation.
The rescue team welcomed her with open arms, eager to assist. But when they saw her up close, they realized her condition was far worse than they had anticipated. This wasn’t just a simple case of matted fur.
As Alli, one of the staff members, shared in an interview:
“Her condition was by far the worst case of matting that we’ve ever seen.”
Alli explained that Sprout struggled to walk because her matted fur was so heavy.
The poor dog could only take slow, painful steps, clearly drained and possibly just waiting for the moment she could be freed from the weight she’d been carrying for who knows how long.
The only part of her that wasn’t matted was her snout, leaving just enough of her sweet face visible.
Alli and the rest of the rescue team worked to provide comfort and reassurance, softly reassuring Sprout that things would get better.
After a few calming moments, they chose to sedate her to make the grooming process smoother and more comfortable for both Sprout and the staff.
The grooming took hours, with the shelter staff being extremely gentle and careful to avoid causing any harm to sweet Sprout.
When they were done, they weighed the matted fur they had removed – a jaw-dropping 32 pounds!
Can you believe that? It was like she had been carrying an extra dog around!
When she woke up, Sprout immediately felt lighter and more at ease.
Her first few steps were shaky, especially when she tried to climb the stairs, but soon enough, she regained her balance and moved around much more comfortably.
Fortunately, Sprout had a foster family ready for her, so she didn’t have to stay at the shelter for long.
As she settled into her new home, her true nature began to emerge.
It quickly became obvious that Sprout was a joyful, loving dog who adored cuddling and playing with those she trusted!
As the shelter posted updates about Sprout on their Facebook and Instagram, it didn’t take long for people to fall completely in love with her.
While Sprout was in foster care, the shelter received many adoption applications, but only one lucky family was selected.
And just like that, Sprout found her forever home with Nicole and David, a couple from Chicago who already had a Tibetan Mastiff named Wally.
Not only did Sprout get a loving human family, but she also gained a furry brother in Wally!
It’s safe to say that Sprout truly deserves her happy ending. Here’s to countless more years filled with love and happiness with her amazing new family!
