When Texas high school teacher Aaron Tanguma received a message from a coworker about a hairless dog hiding in the school’s outdoor bathroom, he didn’t hesitate. Within minutes, he was on his way to see for himself — and what he found broke his heart.
Curled up on the cold floor was a frail, hairless dog who looked like he’d been surviving on his own for far too long. His skin was raw and scabbed from severe mange, his ribs showed through his thin frame, and his eyes were full of quiet sadness.
Tanguma offered the dog, later named Apollo, a bit of food. The starving pup gently took it from his hands — a tiny spark of trust that would soon change his entire life.
That same day, Tanguma brought Apollo home.
He and his fiancée, Renee Gonzales, already had four rescue cats and were worried about spreading infection, so they kept Apollo outside at first. They were afraid that if they took him to a vet too soon, he might be deemed “too far gone” to save.
So, instead, they decided to treat him themselves.
With gentle care, medication for mange, and months of patience, Apollo slowly began to heal.
“It took about three months for his skin to fully recover and another three or four months for his fur to grow back,” Gonzales told The Dodo. “We rescued him in May 2024, and he finally became an indoor dog in February 2025.”
During his recovery, Apollo spent much of his time sleeping. His eyes were tired, and his spirit seemed dim. But as his body healed, so did his heart.
“His personality has completely changed,” Gonzales said. “Now he’s always smiling and so happy to see us.”
The couple hadn’t known what Apollo would look like once his fur came in — but what emerged was beyond what they imagined.
The once hairless, hopeless dog turned into a fluffy, joyful, and affectionate companion with bright eyes and a wagging tail that never stops.
“People are loving his story,” Gonzales said. “They say it’s the best transformation they’ve ever seen.”
From a lonely dog barely clinging to life outside a school to a beloved member of a family, Apollo’s story is a testament to what compassion — and a second chance — can do.
You can follow Apollo’s incredible journey on TikTok.
