The Animal Angels Rescue Foundation (AARF), a non-profit animal rescue organization, received a distressing call about a severely neglected stray dog wandering the streets of Las Vegas.
When rescuers arrived, they were heartbroken by the state of the dog, describing it as one of the worst cases of neglect they had ever seen.
The dog’s matting was so extreme that the rescuers couldn’t even determine its gender.
With its filthy and tangled fur covering every inch of its body, they decided to give the pup a gender-neutral name—Blythe.
Blythe had clearly been fending for himself on the streets for far too long, and his condition was nothing short of devastating.
A Miraculous Transformation
Despite the overwhelming sadness of Blythe’s situation, AARF jumped into action. They knew this little dog had endured immense suffering, but now, thanks to their help, his life was about to take a positive turn.
After being picked up, Blythe was rushed to the vet for immediate care.
“The vet wasn’t even sure if this little one had two eyes because the matting was so severe,” AARF shared in a heartfelt Facebook post.
After a long and necessary grooming session—including a shave, medicated bath, and nail trim—the vet finally revealed that Blythe was a boy. With the mats gone, he looked like an entirely new dog.
Health Challenges Revealed
Though Blythe felt instant relief after shedding his heavy, matted coat, the vet discovered that his time on the streets had left him with several health issues.
He was severely dehydrated and malnourished, his skin was burned and infected from trapped urine, and his back teeth were destroyed from chewing on stones and rocks to survive.
A Path to Healing
Despite everything he had been through, Blythe’s sweet personality quickly shone through. After receiving his initial treatments, he began smiling again, charming everyone around him.
Although the rescue team initially thought Blythe was a white Shih Tzu, closer examination suggested he was likely a Poodle mix with some Terrier in him.
The vet estimated Blythe to be around two years old, and it’s believed he may have been used for breeding.
“He was a little scared and confused leaving the vet, but once he went to his foster home and met the other dogs and kids, that smile on his face became permanent,” AARF shared in a Facebook update. “He’s one very happy boy now, and we’re sure he’s relieved to never have to live outdoors like that again.”
A Step Toward a Brighter Future
Blythe’s journey continued with a neutering procedure and extensive dental surgery.
His dental health was so poor that 11 back teeth had to be removed due to exposed roots—a painful reminder of his struggle to survive by eating whatever he could find.
Despite the challenges, Blythe is now recovering in his foster home, and the rescue team is optimistic about his future.
“If he can survive what he’s been through, this recovery will be nothing for him,” said Reegan Tabor, a member of Animal Angels Rescue Foundation, in an interview with KLAS-TV.
As Blythe continues to heal, his rescuers are hopeful that soon he’ll be ready for a forever home—a place where he’ll be loved, safe, and happy for the rest of his life.