Horribly Abused Halo Didn’t Look Like She Would Survive — You Simply Won’t Believe Her Transformation
In the middle of August 2016, police officers in Chicago spotted a strange-looking creature eating out of a garbage bag. Upon closer inspection, the police were horrified to discover that the creature was actually a sick and terribly abused dog.The police tried to catch the frightened animal, but it ran off.
But then a miracle happened. During a torrential downpour, the ill dog sought refuge on the porch of a house. There, the police officers were finally able to catch the poor animal.
Although the dog’s situation appeared hopeless, the policemen contacted Trio Animal Foundation who rushed over to collect the poor pup. Weak and ill, the exhausted pup fell asleep in the car as she was being driven to the rescue’s veterinarian for treatment.
The rescue workers and the vet couldn’t believe the terrible shape the dog was in. She was approximately 40 to 50 pounds underweight and — with almost every bone in her body visible — she looked like a barely living skeleton. To make matters worse, a severe case of mange had caused her to lose most of her hair and be in a lot of pain.
To make matters worse, there were the poor pup’s eyes. The vet determined that she was suffering with a condition called double eye entropion. With this condition, the eyelids roll inward, and the hair and lashes on the eyelids can then scratch the corneas. In fact, the dog’s eyes were so bad that she could barely see at all. At one point during her intake examination, she even ran into a wall.
Her ears had a terrible yeast infection that was causing her much discomfort. In addition, there were also clear signs that the poor thing had also been terribly abused.
Dubbed Halo by her rescuers, it was obvious that this poor creature was going to need a guardian angel if she was going to make a miraculous recovery.
Halo was so weak, in fact, that she didn’t have the strength to remain on her feet during the entire examination.
Instead, Halo would lay down while the vet and her rescuers continued their assessment of the many ailments that affected her body.
Upon closer examination, Halo’s rescuers determined that the sickly creature was probably a mastiff or a Cane Corso or possibly even a mixture of the two big breeds. It was also evident that she was a young dog, probably no more than one-and-half to two years in age.
Looking at this sweet face, it’s hard to imagine that any human could let a dog get to this awful point.
Fortunately, Halo turned out to be a fighter. After just one day on IV fluids, the amazing dog had managed to gain four pounds. But the rescue’s approach to food introduction had to be very careful. Halo was not surprisingly ravenous but it was important that they introduce her to small meals to minimize any chances for any further damage by a quick and large portion reintroduction system.
Halo was also given medicated baths but was still too weak to start treatment for the mange that had damaged her fur coat and skin.
Sadly, even though the vet was treating Halo’s eyes, the poor dog was continuing to have trouble seeing and was constantly running into walls.
Many people assumed that Halo would be afraid of humans because of the abuse she appeared to have suffered. But to everyone’s surprise, Halo turned out to be a very affectionate pup who wanted to be loved and held by people.
About a week after Halo was first rescued from the streets of Chicago, she was taken to a doggy ophthalmologist. Her rescuers were thrilled to learn that although Halo was still having trouble seeing, she had no ulcers or permanent damage to her eyes. Halo was given medication, numbing drops to help her with the pain, and artificial tears to help lubricate her eyes. It was determined that she would eventually need surgery to correct her entropion condition, but that she was still too weak to undergo such a procedure.
Halo began her long road to recovery. She began treatment for her severe mange that had left her body hairless, scaly, and extremely uncomfortable.
Then there was a surprising new twist to Halo’s story. Her name was Alma and she just might have been Halo’s mom…
Alma, who is believed to be about six years old, was found very close to where Halo was discovered. The dogs also have a very similar appearance. Like Halo, poor, sweet Alma arrived at the Trio Animal Foundation very ill, emaciated, and was suffering from mange, sunburns, and vaginal bleeding. Her X-Rays show undigested bones and garbage from scavenging for food. One thing was sure, Alma was going to require extensive treatment for her many ailments. So the questions remained, will these dogs overcome their neglect, ailments, and abuse? And is Alma Halo’s mother? Find out next…
HALO
After almost a month into her recovery Halo began to fully recover and began looking better and better each day. It’s hard to believe that this dog was the same one that Trio Animal Foundation first rescued just one month prior. She even started to regrow a beautiful brown coat.
ALMA
Alma also began to make a full recovery and started looking and feeling so much better. They both began training with humans and Trio Animal Foundation therapy dogs regularly to socialize and reintroduce them to normal interactions and love.
They continued to keep the two possible family members separated while the team worked hard to assess their conditions and temperaments. They planned to introduce the two when they were healthy and ready.
The rescuers needed to ensure that they were both mentally ready to meet the other. Halo continued to work with her pal, Miller, a highly experienced and wonderful therapy dog. Now, it was time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for — to reintroduce Alma and Halo. The question still remained if Alma really was Halo’s mom…
If there was any doubt if these two were related, these next two images should clear that right up. The two joyously reunited and couldn’t have been more happy to have been given the opportunity for a second chance at life together.
The two hardly spend time apart now and are constantly playing while teaching each other how to love and be happy once again…just as two dogs should! The two are now living in the same unit as they continue their recovery and will soon be up for adoption. Click next for more information about adoptions and how you can help these two and others like them.
See a video of Alma and Halo playing here!
If Halo’s and Alma’s plights have touched your heart, please consider making a donation to Trio Animal Foundation. Halo’s care has not been cheap. So not surprisingly, Trio Animal Foundation is in need of monetary donations to help pay for Halo’s past, current and future medical costs. You can earmark your donation “Halo”. If you are making a donation via a smartphone and are not given the opportunity to earmark your donation, please forward your receipt confirmation to [email protected]. This organization has put a lot of time and money into saving these two sweet dogs. Without this amazing rescue’s efforts, both dogs would probably have died on the streets of Chicago. Instead, they both now have a chance at making full recoveries and finding their forever homes.
Update: Halo has gained 30 lbs and 90% of her body is now covered with fur! She is healthy enough to get her entropion surgery that will alleviate her eyes from pain. Help donate to her surgery through the Trio Animal Foundation.
If you liked Halo and Alma’s story of transformation, you must check out the story about Augustus. This poor skeleton of a dog was found aimlessly walking and covered in chemical burns. It’s incredible what he looks like now! You don’t want to miss this one…
