Staff from the Trio Animal Foundation in Chicago discovered this dog in an appalling condition at a shelter at the weekend.
“Flies and gnats swarmed around the pup and what appeared to be the dog’s back legs dragged on the floor and left a watery trail … just like a snail," she said.
Naiden said the fur on the dog’s legs was so heavy it was starting to rip out at the root.
Kelli, a groomer from Mutt Hutt, agreed to try to help the tiny dog after it was rescued.
“For the next hour and a half, I held Ellen while Kelli quickly worked to shave the heavy casing of fur away from her body," the Trio Animal Foundation founder said.
"When it came time to shave the matted fur that had tightly wrapped its way around Ellen’s raw legs like a snug boot, she actually looked up at me and started to give me kisses. I could have died."
"Even better, the first time she could feel the touch of my hand on her newly shaven back … she looked me in the eyes, and it was as if she was saying thank you. Her past abuse was literally being shaved away."
Naiden said a total of two pounds of fur was eventually shaved off Ellen.
The adorable dog has since been examined by a vet and received numerous vaccinations.
Ellen is now safe and well and recovering from her ordeal.
