When an animal control officer found a frail, nearly hairless dog wandering the streets, she was quickly brought to a local shelter. She was in rough shape — underweight, hairless, and clearly unwell.
The shelter couldn’t provide the intensive care she needed, so she was transferred to Austin Pets Alive! for a second chance.
“She was in very poor condition,” said Luis Sanchez, director of public relations at Austin Pets Alive!. “She tested positive for parvovirus and was suffering from severe sarcoptic mange.”
The outlook for a dog with parvo is often grim, but this little survivor — then named Mrs. Greg — refused to give up. Against the odds, she beat the virus.
The mange took longer to heal, and despite treatment, her fur just wouldn’t grow back. Rescuers feared her appearance might keep her from ever finding a home.
But one woman saw past it all.
A New Name and a New Start
Olivia, now her adopter, didn’t hesitate to welcome the patchy pup into her life. She renamed her Winnie and committed to helping her continue to heal.
“I knew she had been through so much — the parvo, the mange — and it took time for her to get fully better,” Olivia said. “She had tummy troubles and kept getting sick, but she was always happy. Always a trooper.”
At first, Olivia didn’t know if Winnie would ever have a full coat again — and she didn’t care. But over time, Winnie surprised everyone.
From Bare to Beautiful
Slowly but surely, Winnie began to grow the softest, fluffiest fur. Day by day, her transformation was nothing short of magical.
“I cannot believe how much fur she has now,” Olivia said. “She just keeps getting fluffier!”
Winnie has gone from a hairless, sickly pup to a healthy, vibrant dog with a glowing coat and an even brighter spirit. Watching her thrive brings joy not just to Olivia — but to everyone who meets her.
A Happy Ending Worth Celebrating
Winnie’s transformation is a reminder that every dog deserves a second chance — no matter what they look like or how rough their beginning may be.
If you’d like to support more stories like Winnie’s, consider donating to Austin Pets Alive!.
