Rescued From A Life Of Neglect In Houston, This Dog’s Transformation Is Incredible

It’s heartbreaking how many dogs in America suffer from neglect and mistreatment. While many people want pets, too often they fail to provide the proper care. Some tie their dogs up, taking away their freedom, while others treat them even worse.

Fortunately, many compassionate individuals step up to rescue these animals and offer them the love they deserve. 

Thanks to these kind souls, countless animals get a second chance at life, showing how transformative love can be.

Today’s story is a perfect example. After being mistreated by her previous owners, this pup was rescued just in time. Her incredible transformation is proof of the power of love. Here’s her story!

Chained And Forgotten, She Endured A Life Of Pain In Silence

Barbara Zuluaga, a board member of A Chance to Bloom Dog Rescue in Houston, Texas, was shocked when she first saw a photo of a fragile, sickly, and severely undernourished puppy. 

The dog was so badly covered in mange that Barbara couldn’t even tell what breed she was.

In an interview, Barbara recalled:

“I thought that she was a Chihuahua or some other small breed. She was just covered in mange, and it was very hard to tell.”

The puppy, around eight months old, turned out to be a Staffordshire Terrier mix, though she was barely half the size she should have been due to malnutrition and neglect.

Named Ziva, this poor pup was found chained to a tree on a nearby property and brought to the BARC Animal Shelter in Houston.

She was emaciated, suffering from mange, and covered in painful sores. Her paws were raw, likely from struggling to escape her confinement.

Barbara was heartbroken by Ziva’s condition, sharing:

“For a dog to get the injuries that she had – the mange and malnourishment – they have to be kept in a certain state for a long time, so it’s really obvious that she suffered.”

On top of her physical pain, Ziva was terrified of people, trembling constantly. She desperately needed someone to show her kindness and love.

A Dream Foster Home

Determined to help Ziva, Barbara quickly removed her from the shelter and took her to the vet for urgent treatment. 

While at the clinic, Stephanie Williams, a veterinary technician, instantly connected with the fragile pup.

When it came time for Ziva to leave, Stephanie couldn’t bear the thought of saying goodbye. She later said:

“It broke my heart to think about her leaving, and I wanted to be a part of her recovery.”

Without hesitation, Stephanie volunteered to foster Ziva.

Ziva spent the next two months in Stephanie’s care, and during that time, her transformation was extraordinary. 

She put on weight, her fur began to grow back, and, most importantly, she finally experienced the love she had long been denied.

Stephanie shared:

“She got to see what it was like to be in a home, and how to eat out of a dog bowl and drink out of a dog water bowl and sleep in a bed and how to jump up on the couch. She did really, really well overcoming the adversities and the challenges that had been set before her, and I’m proud of her.”

Ziva was thriving in her foster home, basking in the comfort and love she had been missing.

But as she continued to improve, the time came to find her forever home, and Barbara had a tough decision ahead.

Ziva’s Dream Forever Human

Although many potential adopters showed interest in Ziva, Barbara was determined not to settle for just any family. 

She knew Ziva needed, and deserved, a compassionate, experienced owner who could give her the life she had always lacked.

Fortunately, Barbara found the perfect match. 

A woman reached out, saying she had connected with Ziva’s story. With experience in rehabilitating dogs, Barbara knew she was the ideal adopter.

And so, Ziva’s new journey began with Cassie Rogers, a kind woman from Fort Worth, Texas, who instantly bonded with Ziva. 

She renamed her Roxy and made a heartfelt promise to provide her with the life she’d always deserved.

In her new home, sweet Roxy flourished, completely transforming into a happy, healthy dog. 

Her story is a testament to the power of love and care – when an animal is truly loved, anything is possible!