Malnourished, Abandoned German Shepherd Dog Makes Stunning Transformation After Rescue

(TMU) — A starving and hairless German Shepherd Dog was successfully brought back to good health after being rescued from London’s streets, where it lived a brutal life as a stray.

Abandoned and barely surviving, the four-year-old German Shepherd (also known locally as an Alsatian) named Ralph was found wandering the streets of South London on the verge of death before being delivered to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

When the dedicated staff at Battersea encountered Ralph, his body was emaciated and hairless, with oozing sores covering his body and sure signs of abuse. The poor pup also had a severe bacterial infection, an eye condition, and a problem with a damaged ear that required an operation, according to the Mirror.

Credit: Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Battersea’s staff worked around the clock to save Ralph from his life-threatening condition, and the results have been spectacular. And just one month after he was rescued Ralph found a permanent home.

Ralph’s transformation from a down-and-out street dog to a bright and beautiful pet was made complete after dog-loving volunteer Wendy Tung forged such a strong bond with him that she couldn’t help but take him home on a permanent basis.

Four years later, the gorgeous German Shepherd now has a rich coat of fur and has grown to a healthy, typical size.

Wendy explained to the Mirror:

“Ralph is a wonderful dog. He brings me companionship and so much love and affection. Every day I think how lucky I am to have him.

He had such a difficult start in life, but he has always been loving, gentle and trusting. He’s an absolute joy. When I first brought him home he was still a very poorly dog, which was upsetting to see. There was no muscle, it was just bone.

He didn’t want to go out in the garden without me. I think he was terrified of being locked out in the cold again. I think he must have been shut in a yard and left outside alone in the past.

Now, four years later, he is like a totally different dog. He is a real gentleman.

He’s so well mannered. He never asks for anything. He never complains. It is because of Battersea that he got his second chance at life.”

Credit: Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Wendy added that she hopes people will consider donating to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

Since 1860, the iconic Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has been providing life-saving care and shelter to animals in need. Just last year, Battersea provided care to over 7,000 animals—with roughly 16 new animals arriving at its facilities every day.

The homepage of their website reads:

“One in four dogs and cats are rescues. They come in all shapes and sizes and refuse to be defined by their past. At Battersea, we think it’s time to celebrate rescue and show that even underdogs can be top cats.

To look beyond pedigree and start appreciating personality; stop focusing on age and instead see character. If you want a unique, loving pet there’s really one breed for you, and that’s Rescue.”

By Elias Marat | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com