“She Stunk, She Couldn’t See, And She Bled All Over The Couch”: Kind People Save A Dying Dog And Her Transformation Is Incredible

Lauren Buckley started fostering animals after she rescued her dog, Brooks. He was on the euthanasia list at an overcrowded Alabama shelter and Buckley simply couldn’t imagine her life without the pup after she found out about him. The whole experience made her realize how many dogs who are facing a grim future could be the perfect companion for someone else if only given the chance. It’s been four years since and Buckley has been loving every second of it!

Recently, however, the woman took in such a neglected doggo, she wasn’t even sure if she could help her. “We saw [pictures of] Lainey and her brother posted on Facebook on Christmas Eve by the Good Samaritan that found them. He couldn’t keep them and we knew we had to do something,” Buckley told Bored Panda.

Lainey suffered from demodectic mange and secondary skin infections. Over the following months, she would undergo aggressive treatment. However, with all the love and attention she has received, the little girl pulled through.

Demodectic mange, or demodex, is caused by a cigar-shaped mite, Demodex canis. They are a normal part of the skin flora, always present, and usually harmless. Mom dogs pass them on to their pups in the first few days after giving birth, but it is not contagious to humans. The mites take up residence deep in hair follicles and stay there, causing no harm. A normal immune system keeps their numbers in check.

However, in a dog with a weakened immune system, they can grow out of control.

If the disease spreads to many areas of the body, the condition is called generalized demodectic mange. It’s really severe and can be life-threatening if not treated properly.

Buckley did everything in her power to create the absolute best conditions for the pup to recover. “We had her for four months,” she said. “She took daily antibiotics and ivermectin for the full four months. In addition, we gave her coconut oil in her food, applied it to her skin, and gave her twice-weekly medicated baths. We also did our best to keep her stress level low since demodex thrives on stress.”

When Lainey got better, a good friend of Buckley who saved her first dog from the euthanasia shelter adopted her. “It feels [like a] full circle,” Buckley said. “She and her husband are incredible, kindhearted people who were smitten with Lainey from the get-go. We could not have asked for a better family for her.”

Lainey’s foster mom also wanted to use the opportunity and thank Brown Dog Coalition out of Hopkinton, MA. “They are the rescue who paid for all her vetting and answered my call when we took Lainey in on Christmas Eve. They save countless dogs who need major medical care and this wouldn’t have been possible without them.”