Texas Teacher Sees A Hairless Pup Outside School And Vows To Give Him A New Life

Aaron Tanguma was in the middle of his usual school day in Texas. That meant long hours, lesson plans, and lots of running around.

But one message from a coworker stopped him in his tracks: a dog had been spotted hiding in the outdoor bathroom at the school.

Without hesitation, Aaron went to see for himself. That’s when he met Apollo.

Apollo was heartbreaking to look at. He was hairless, skin inflamed, and so skinny that every bone seemed to show.

Mange had taken over his body, leaving him fragile and vulnerable. But despite everything, there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes, a small spark that seemed to say, “Please don’t leave me here.”

Aaron offered him some food, and Apollo accepted it gratefully. Later that day, Aaron brought Apollo home.

Aaron and his fiancée, Renee Gonzales, had already been living wth four rescue cats, so they had to be careful about bringing a sick pup, making sure everyone stayed safe and healthy.

Apollo was in such rough shape that a trip to the vet was intimidating; they feared the vet might not see a path forward and instantly put him down.

Instead, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work themselves. They purchased special medication for the mange, learned how to apply it carefully, and devoted countless hours to nurturing him.

The healing process was long and gradual. For the first three months, Aaron and Renee focused on restoring Apollo’s skin and easing his discomfort.

Then, over the next three to four months, his fur began to grow back, as Aaron shared in an interview:

“It took about 3 months for his skin to fully heal and another 3 [to] 4 months to grow his fur out fully.”

After about ten months, Apollo officially became an indoor dog, leaving the outdoor struggles of his past behind.

During the first part of his recovery, Apollo was quiet and withdrawn. He slept constantly, showing little energy or excitement, as if he couldn’t believe he deserved happiness.

But as his body healed, so did his spirit. He started to show the goofy, loving personality that had been hiding under all that suffering.

It was incredible to watch the transformation. The hairless, timid dog that Aaron and Renee first found had blossomed into a fluffy, playful, and affectionate companion, as Renee shared:

“His personality has completely changed from when he was depressed, and he’s always smiling and happy to see us.”

Apollo’s story isn’t just about a rescue; it’s about what patience, love, and a little faith can do. He went from being a sick, abandoned pup who didn’t even know what it felt like to sleep in a warm bed, to a happy, confident dog with a family who loves him to pieces.

His journey proves how much hope and care can turn a life around. Renee shared:

“People are loving his story and have said it’s the best transformation they have ever seen.”

Now Apollo spends his days soaking up belly rubs, running around the beach, and curling up with his favorite humans, living a simple, happy life that once seemed impossible for him.