When Grinch first arrived at a South Texas shelter, he barely looked alive. Hairless, gray, and covered in thick, scabby skin, he resembled a weathered stone statue more than a dog. Shelter workers knew immediately that he needed urgent, specialized care — the kind they couldn’t provide alone.
So they called Rescue Dogs Rock NYC.
“He looked so sad and was in such deplorable condition that we obviously stood up and agreed to take him,” Randie Semel, a volunteer and leader of the rescue’s Texas team, told The Dodo. “We couldn’t even tell what kind of dog he was. It was clear he’d been suffering for a long time.”
“He looked more like a statuary than a living creature,” she added.
Grinch was rushed to a local veterinarian, where he finally received the medical attention he desperately needed — treatment for his severe skin infections, other underlying illnesses, and help reaching a healthy weight. Slowly but surely, he began to improve.
A month later, Grinch made the trip to the Northeast to begin the next phase of his recovery in a foster home.
When he arrived in December, he looked better physically, but emotionally he was still very much a dog who had survived hardship. “He was really shy and scared of everyone,” Semel said. “He backed away from other dogs. He just didn’t know how to be part of anything.”
With patience, kindness, and consistency, his foster mom helped Grinch learn that he was safe. Little by little, his fur began to grow back. His confidence followed. Soon, he was not just adjusting — he was thriving.
“He absolutely loves to play ball,” Semel said. “He looks beautiful now, and he loves to run and play.”
Five short months after rescue, Grinch has transformed into a gorgeous, fluffy shepherd/Malinois mix — and his spirit has changed just as dramatically. Recently, he moved to a new foster family who is completely smitten and hopes to adopt him.
“The foster family is absolutely in love with him,” Semel said. “He’s a very sweet dog. He loves all people.”
Grinch’s journey is a powerful reminder that every dog deserves a second chance — no matter how bleak the beginning. And despite his “Grinch” name, he has become one of the happiest, most loving pups around.
To help more dogs like Grinch get their fresh start, you can donate to Rescue Dogs Rock NYC.
