Dog That Couldn’t Even Move Due To Extremely Matted Fur Gets A Life-Saving Makeover
If there’s one thing that warms the heart for sure, it’s reading a story of an animal being rescued from a life of pain and suffering. One such lucky doggo is Ellie Mae who was neglected so badly that when she came to the shelter, it was nearly impossible to know what animal she was just by looking at her.
The Nebraska Humane Society gave Ellie Mae the dog a makeover that completely transformed her life. The canine was an unrecognizable tangle of messy hair, but after some love, attention and plenty of hard work, she was fresh and sparkling again. Stories like these really make you believe in the goodness of humanity once again. Read on for Bored Panda’s interview with the Nebraska Humane Society!
More info: nehumanesociety.org | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Ellie Mae the dog was brought to the shelter looking like this
Image credits: Nebraska Humane
Ellie Mae got a second shot at life after staff at the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS, but not to be confused with the more widely known British National Health Service) cut her fur and treated her injuries.
The doggo had a lot of health problems
The doggo was neglected after her owner died, and couldn’t even move. The entire process of cleaning up Ellie Mae was long and arduous. But the most difficult part was helping her get her strength back because she had plenty of health problems, including a hernia, muscle wasting, and arthritis.
Two weeks after she was brought to the shelter, you wouldn’t even believe that Ellie Mae had been suffering from overgrown matted hair. One Twitter user said that Ellie Mae “appears to be a Shih Tzu or maybe a Shih Tzu mix.”
Ellie Mae looked unrecognizable after her makeover
Bored Panda reached out to NHS to talk about Ellie Mae. Pam Wiese, an NHS representative went into detail about what happened.
“The hardest part in helping Ellie Mae. She was so drastically matted that we had to put her under to shave her down. The drugs to do that are based on an animal’s weight, and we really couldn’t tell what she actually weighed… so our veterinary technician who made the estimate needed to be very careful. Because the matting was so severe, we had to shave very close to the skin. All three people working on Ellie were using blades normally used to prepare a surgical site. They are very sharp. So we had to be extremely careful to cut through the dense matting but not cut her. The process took just over an hour for three people!”
“We were dumbfounded at her condition when she came in. So were those who found her in the home after her owner had died. They had no idea she had a dog. They put Ellie in a storage tote to transport her to the Nebraska Humane Society because she couldn’t walk,” Wiese explained. “Our staff didn’t know what she was, or that she was even a living animal until her head moved. She was very uncomfortable. We zipped her into our medical area, figured out what anesthesia was safe and then looked for her face so we could intubate her for her clean up.”
“After her clean up, we were amazed that she didn’t have more health issues. The hard shell of hair apparently protected her skin from infections and parasites. We’ve seen cases where the hair gets so tight it actually strangles the limbs and naturally “amputates” them. In those instances, necrosis and sepsis are very real concerns. In this case, after removing 9 pounds of hair from her 11-pound body, she was surprisingly healthy. She had good weight and a bit of arthritis and muscle atrophying, needed a dental, but she was up and moving the next morning. She is also the sweetest dog. She doesn’t have any issues with people or other easy-going dogs she meets. She’s extraordinarily resilient! And she’s very cute!”
Wiese also had this to say: “NHS is an open-entry shelter that serves the Omaha Nebraska metro area. We take in around 25,000 animals a year (including strays, some of which go back home, and wildlife which goes to a rehab facility that specializes in wildlife.) We see matted dogs just about every day, however, Ellie Mae is the most drastic case of matting we’ve ever seen. We have had other cases that create more serious health issues for animals, but this matting and toenail situation was just extraordinary.”
“We are so sorry this little peanut had to go through such an ordeal, which was likely for an extended period of time. But we are so happy we were here for her and able to give her a second chance! That’s why we do what we do!”
The internet went wild with love and support for Ellie Mae
The internet reacted with lots of support when they heard the doggo’s story. The story got more than 6,000 upvotes and over 136,000 views on Imgur when it was posted.
NHS has more than 146,600 followers on Facebook, 26,700 fans on Instagram and 32,300 supporters on Twitter. That’s a huge number of people who support what they do! NHS has had plenty of time to perfect what they do. Founded in 1875, it’s the fifth oldest humane society in the United States.
The society shelters animals “who have no place to call home.” NHS has a huge team: 150 staff members work at NHS, and a further 600 volunteers dedicate their time to help out animals just like Ellie Mae.
That's exactly what I was thinking! What a gorgeous, tenacious little dog, I don't know how she survived, but I'm so glad she did, and now she has a second chance for a happy life.
Load More Replies...How can this happen? How can a human being decay so much that they let this happen to their pets? Where are friends, neighbours, family, social services??? The poor poor doggy. Being unable to walk for years, just lying around in your own filth. Poor wee thing.
Maybe an elderly lady with no family, had dementia, hoarder- there are many possibilities. If she forgot she had a dog she wouldn't have mentioned it to anyone. But Ellie Mae looks well enough so possibly her owner didn't know what she was doing. We can only speculate as she cannot defend her actions, but the story has a good ending, which matters the most.
Load More Replies...She’s adorable! I totally thought she was some kind of spaniel because all that matted hair made her look so much bigger. GOOD WORK NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY!!!
Spare a kind thought for her owner - it seems her last years were pretty awful too.
Honestly, it's just a tragedy all around. I wonder if the woman died of something preventable, as well?
Load More Replies...How did she survive for years without being able to move? Where did she find her food and water?
Whenever I see these matted dog/cat stories, I get upset that human beings have bred them to have "cute" "beautiful" long hair. No way would nature evolve this. People, don't support the fashionable breeding!
I just wrote something similar and I'm sure I'll be downvoted as well. Think with your brain, not your selfish feels, people.
Load More Replies...How chilly this little one must've been after taking off such a coat. I don't lie though, this is a stark reminder why people shouldn't play frankenbreeder and breed dogs that have hair so long they can't survive without constant human attention. Breed only dogs that are athletic and capable please. Don't play genetic god just for something cute to play with. You feel me, pugs and wiener dogs?
I hate the puppy farms and the constant inbreeding and over breeding they do to get a dog that will sell for hundreds of dollars at a pet store. I hate to think about the pups that are "disposed of" because they don't meet standards. We bought a dog from a pet store who turned out to have health problems. The pet store offered us another dog, but we kept him and took care of him. We knew what would happen if we returned him. He lived only 2 1/2 years.
Load More Replies...Upvoted because she was rescued and saved. But people, stop buying dogs (I don't mean rescues) that are so bred that they are unhealthy. If the hair can get so long as to cause that much damage, that is a deformed dog. Have more respect and love for a dog: Other than rescues, don't buy a breed that has been bred to be utterly dependent on humans. Buy one that is lithe, intelligent, agile, doesn't have a pug face that causes breathing problems, doesn't have bad eyes or hips or long hair or legs too short for the body. You can't say you love animals if you go out of your way to buy a breed that would have no hope of living without little or no human care. It's not a toy. It's a living being.
That poor, poor, baby, at first glance, I thought the photo was of some freakishly huge cat hairball! She looks so much better now, I hope she finds a wonderful forever home!
This beautiful little shih tzu cross (looks like anyway) lady deserves the best forever home ever! Bless the wonderful people at the NHS for saving this adorable doggo!!
Goes to show. We should all check on our elderly with pets, to see if them and their pets need help.
aha, it is a race created artificially, which can exists only in the care of humans, if it was a natural created one, it couldn't reach that desperate point
God bless all of you! You are all amazing with the biggest hearts I have ever seen. God must be smiling down on each and everyone of you. You gave that precious little dog a second chance on life and I hope the owners were prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for letting that poor animal get in that shape. Again, God bless you all for your kindness.
such a heartbreaking story, i want this pup! hopefully gets love she deserves ❤️
that poor pup, so neglected for so long. hope she finds a loving home very soon and can forget all that pain.
What an adorable happy loving lil doll wow for all u guys have done just wanna say the dog feels ur like,kindness and love u put on the pup bless all of u
I can't imagine how long she must have been like this. And the time it took to get that bad. How long had she been lying unable to move. She can't have eaten since the owner died, as least. Homes aren't usually cleared out within days of a death. She must have just been lying there waiting to die. I hope the rest of her life is full of love and care.
Those humans are so kind to take care of her, she is truly a beautiful dog. I wish her the best in life <3
"That poor little thing was in there," it makes you think how strong her will to live must have been to survive that.
What is wrong with this world that we can leave an innocent and beautiful animal to suffer like that. I am ashamed of the human race. Well done to the team who gave her life again.
You didn't even read the article but felt you were informed enough to complain? This dog was all alone in a house after the owner died. Nobody knew the dog existed. Nobody was cruel to it at all. In fact, the only people who dealt with it were noble and kind.
Load More Replies...I am sure she will be adopted and given a loving home now. Just sorry she had to suffer. People who inflict this cruelty on animals deserve the very same torture back on them times ten. Monsters.
I don't think the owner meant to inflict suffering. It seems to be a case of an old lady who died alone, without any support. The article doesn't suggest that it was deliberate.
Load More Replies...Wow... glad the owner died. What an awful human being. Good luck to you, little girl.
That's exactly what I was thinking! What a gorgeous, tenacious little dog, I don't know how she survived, but I'm so glad she did, and now she has a second chance for a happy life.
Load More Replies...How can this happen? How can a human being decay so much that they let this happen to their pets? Where are friends, neighbours, family, social services??? The poor poor doggy. Being unable to walk for years, just lying around in your own filth. Poor wee thing.
Maybe an elderly lady with no family, had dementia, hoarder- there are many possibilities. If she forgot she had a dog she wouldn't have mentioned it to anyone. But Ellie Mae looks well enough so possibly her owner didn't know what she was doing. We can only speculate as she cannot defend her actions, but the story has a good ending, which matters the most.
Load More Replies...She’s adorable! I totally thought she was some kind of spaniel because all that matted hair made her look so much bigger. GOOD WORK NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY!!!
Spare a kind thought for her owner - it seems her last years were pretty awful too.
Honestly, it's just a tragedy all around. I wonder if the woman died of something preventable, as well?
Load More Replies...How did she survive for years without being able to move? Where did she find her food and water?
Whenever I see these matted dog/cat stories, I get upset that human beings have bred them to have "cute" "beautiful" long hair. No way would nature evolve this. People, don't support the fashionable breeding!
I just wrote something similar and I'm sure I'll be downvoted as well. Think with your brain, not your selfish feels, people.
Load More Replies...How chilly this little one must've been after taking off such a coat. I don't lie though, this is a stark reminder why people shouldn't play frankenbreeder and breed dogs that have hair so long they can't survive without constant human attention. Breed only dogs that are athletic and capable please. Don't play genetic god just for something cute to play with. You feel me, pugs and wiener dogs?
I hate the puppy farms and the constant inbreeding and over breeding they do to get a dog that will sell for hundreds of dollars at a pet store. I hate to think about the pups that are "disposed of" because they don't meet standards. We bought a dog from a pet store who turned out to have health problems. The pet store offered us another dog, but we kept him and took care of him. We knew what would happen if we returned him. He lived only 2 1/2 years.
Load More Replies...Upvoted because she was rescued and saved. But people, stop buying dogs (I don't mean rescues) that are so bred that they are unhealthy. If the hair can get so long as to cause that much damage, that is a deformed dog. Have more respect and love for a dog: Other than rescues, don't buy a breed that has been bred to be utterly dependent on humans. Buy one that is lithe, intelligent, agile, doesn't have a pug face that causes breathing problems, doesn't have bad eyes or hips or long hair or legs too short for the body. You can't say you love animals if you go out of your way to buy a breed that would have no hope of living without little or no human care. It's not a toy. It's a living being.
That poor, poor, baby, at first glance, I thought the photo was of some freakishly huge cat hairball! She looks so much better now, I hope she finds a wonderful forever home!
This beautiful little shih tzu cross (looks like anyway) lady deserves the best forever home ever! Bless the wonderful people at the NHS for saving this adorable doggo!!
Goes to show. We should all check on our elderly with pets, to see if them and their pets need help.
aha, it is a race created artificially, which can exists only in the care of humans, if it was a natural created one, it couldn't reach that desperate point
God bless all of you! You are all amazing with the biggest hearts I have ever seen. God must be smiling down on each and everyone of you. You gave that precious little dog a second chance on life and I hope the owners were prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for letting that poor animal get in that shape. Again, God bless you all for your kindness.
such a heartbreaking story, i want this pup! hopefully gets love she deserves ❤️
that poor pup, so neglected for so long. hope she finds a loving home very soon and can forget all that pain.
What an adorable happy loving lil doll wow for all u guys have done just wanna say the dog feels ur like,kindness and love u put on the pup bless all of u
I can't imagine how long she must have been like this. And the time it took to get that bad. How long had she been lying unable to move. She can't have eaten since the owner died, as least. Homes aren't usually cleared out within days of a death. She must have just been lying there waiting to die. I hope the rest of her life is full of love and care.
Those humans are so kind to take care of her, she is truly a beautiful dog. I wish her the best in life <3
"That poor little thing was in there," it makes you think how strong her will to live must have been to survive that.
What is wrong with this world that we can leave an innocent and beautiful animal to suffer like that. I am ashamed of the human race. Well done to the team who gave her life again.
You didn't even read the article but felt you were informed enough to complain? This dog was all alone in a house after the owner died. Nobody knew the dog existed. Nobody was cruel to it at all. In fact, the only people who dealt with it were noble and kind.
Load More Replies...I am sure she will be adopted and given a loving home now. Just sorry she had to suffer. People who inflict this cruelty on animals deserve the very same torture back on them times ten. Monsters.
I don't think the owner meant to inflict suffering. It seems to be a case of an old lady who died alone, without any support. The article doesn't suggest that it was deliberate.
Load More Replies...Wow... glad the owner died. What an awful human being. Good luck to you, little girl.
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