THIS homeless dog’s hair became so matted and crusty that it looked like it was turning to STONE.
After being abandoned by its heartless owner, the mangy mutt was rescued and nursed by to health by non-profit animal welfare organisation Save a Greek Stray.
The five-year-old mixed breed dog, who was left to die on the streets of Oropus, in East Attica, Greece, is now looking for a loving home.
Staff at the shelter nursed the adorable animal, who had numerous health problems, back to health over a period of four months.
The caring team nicknamed the hound Petra, which is Greek for stone.
Shelter manager Irinia Psarrou, 37, said: “We were informed of a dog in a bad state near the shelter.
After looking for three days, we finally saw her walking by the side of the street.
“She was very scared of people, and we had to sedate her in order to catch her.
“She tested positive for mange and other Mediterranean diseases.
“It took a lot of special medication, medical baths, special spot-ons to improve her skin condition and very good quality food.
“It took four months for Petra to completely recover – but she is still very scared and shy.
“Our volunteer Valia visits the shelter once a week to see Petra, trying to rehabilitate her.
“It took Valia less than two months to bring Petra around to become a happy dog, who enjoys human contact and loves going out for walks.
“Sadly, she is still at the shelter waiting for her forever home.
“Unfortunately, Petra is not the only dog found in such a condition – in Greece we are very used to seeing dogs in a similar condition, and we deal with them on a daily basis.”
Save a Greek Stray relies on donations to helps save poorly pooches – it costs around 1,200 euro to rescue and care for one abandoned pup.
