While out on a walk in her Los Angeles neighborhood, a woman spotted a skinny, shambling, filthy dog on the side of the road. She wanted to help, but based on what she saw, she also wanted to keep a safe distance.
So she snapped a photo on her phone and texted Hope for Paws, an LA-based animal rescue specializing in saving animals from neglect and abuse — the poor animal on the side of the road certainly seemed to have suffered both.
When the folks at Hope for Paws saw the photo, though, they knew immediately they were not dealing with an average dog.
Based on what they could see, they determined the animal in question was actually a wolf-dog hybrid, which is not something they usually handle.
But still, the wolf-dog was in desperate need, obviously very sick and disoriented. So they set out to find her.
Wolves and dogs can mate and produce offspring, but these hybrids can't ever really be at home in the worlds of wild wolves or domestic dogs. And sadly, many people think it's "cool" to have a dog that's part wolf, but don't understand the special needs these animals have.
Luckily, there are several rescue organizations specializing in wolf-dogs, providing care and space for them to live and socialize with others of their kind.
At the time, though, the people at Hope for Paws knew the first order of business was finding the wolf-dog and getting her the care she so desperately needed.
[H/T: The Dodo]
This was the dog spotted wandering, disoriented, around a neighborhood in Los Angeles.
When a woman saw her, she immediately contacted rescue organization Hope for Paws.
The rescuers from Hope for Paws identified her as part wolf and managed to corral the dog in a gated front yard. Up close, they could tell she was in even worse shape than they initially thought.
The poor dog was bleeding from swollen and infected wounds, and she was emaciated, just skin and bones. She was also confused and fearful.
Lisa Chiarelli from Hope for Paws, though, was determined to make her feel at ease. Chiarelli knelt on the ground and reached out to her with treats.
Slowly, the dog came closer.
Hope for Paws founder Eldad Hagar was also on the scene, and remarked that even though she was sick and starving, the dog was gentle when taking the treats from Chiarelli's hand.
Eventually, the dog let her rescuers give her some reassuring pets, even though she likely came from a bad situation.
Hagar knows this because of the ragged, dirty piece of rope tied around her neck. "[It] indicates to me that someone owned and neglected her to a criminal degree," he says.
After getting a proper leash on the dog, who by this point had been named Julia, they led her back to the car, complete with well-wishes from the very confused owner of the yard they were in.
She looks a little more hopeful already in this photo!
Julia might have been a little wary of the car, but at this point, it looked like she was ready for a major change.
When Julia got to the vet's office, she was given a full checkup. It was found she was suffering from demodectic mange, which was causing patches of her fur to fall out and inflaming her skin.
Her nails were also severely overgrown, which caused pain and swelling to her paws.
But the vets reassured her and kept her calm, and tried to make her as comfortable as possible.
For the mange, Julia was given a medicated bath. The water made it even more apparent how skinny she was. It also caused the scabs on her infected skin to open and bleed.
It looks alarming, but Julia was fine. The medicated bath cleaned away the grime and gave her skin a chance to heal.
And even after everything she'd been through, Julia seemed to know she was safe. She rested her head on Chiarelli's arm while being gently towel-dried.
"She was happy it was over," Hagar says. After the bath, Julia was given a soft blanket to sleep with.
Over the following weeks, Julia, who was determined to be about 2 years old, began to show signs of improvement.
She was eating healthily and gaining weight, and was opening up to her new friends — in her own way.
"Julia is still not wagging her tail," Hagar reports. "She just shows her appreciation by rubbing her head on me. What a special girl."
"Julia has special, calm, wise eyes," he adds. "I don't know how to explain it, but it's something so special."
Still, Julia had a lot of healing to do. The infections had given her a fever, and for a few days, her appetite flagged.
Hagar, though, had faith in her. "When we found her she was in a total state of starvation," he says.
The severity of her situation meant she'd need extra time to heal and regain her strength.
Luckily, with the help of Hagar and his dedicated team, Julia pulled through.
She was soon well enough to meet Chiarelli's dogs, Frankie and Lola, and had fun getting to know some other pooches.
There are also plans to do a DNA test on Julia to see if she really is part wolf (although that is the prevailing theory), or if she's just an unusual-looking husky.
Knowing this will better help the folks at Hope for Paws find her a proper forever home where she can thrive.
Julia is still looking for a forever home, but she's become a favorite with kids, adults, and other dogs for her sweet and gentle nature.
She'll have to continue her medicated baths and antibiotics for the time being, but she's on the mend!
See more of the good Hope for Paws does for animals on their website and on Facebook, and consider making a donation to help even more animals.
And SHARE Julia's story with anyone who loves seeing an adorable pup pull through!
