Countless dogs endure harsh conditions through no fault of their own. Life on the streets, combined with cold weather, limited shelter, and scarce food, leaves these loyal companions struggling to survive.
One such story unfolds in Virginia, where rescuers found a dog in such poor condition that they mistook her for a different breed.
Defeated and exhausted, she willingly surrendered to her rescuers, who quickly began her recovery journey. Before long, the dog—later named Glowup—stunned everyone with her incredible transformation!
A Difficult Start In Life
Source: Richmond Animal League
Animal control in Petersburg, Virginia, found Glowup and quickly transferred her to the Richmond Animal League, who didn’t hesitate to welcome her.
Upon arrival, her condition was heartbreaking. Severe demodectic mange had left her skin inflamed, hairless, and covered in scabs, leading the staff to initially mistake her for a Shar Pei.
“When this sweet girl arrived, her skin suffered from a nasty case of Demodex. She was missing hair, was covered in scabs, and her skin was thickened,” RAL shared on Facebook.
Source: @richmondanimalleague
Despite her rough start, Glowup’s caregivers tirelessly dedicated themselves to her recovery. Alongside regular medication and soothing medicated baths, they showered her with the one thing she needed most—love.
With daily TLC and consistent treatment, Glowup slowly emerged from her shell, embracing her transformative journey. It didn’t take long for everyone at the rescue to fall in love with her incredible personality.
In just a few weeks, Glowup made remarkable progress. Her wounds began to heal, her coat started to grow back, and for the first time in a long while, she was finally safe and on the path to a full recovery.
Mystery Resolved
Source: Richmond Animal League
recovery also solved another mystery—her true breed!
Initially mistaken for a Shar Pei because of her inflamed skin, the shelter staff soon discovered she was actually an adorable Pitbull mix with a heartwarming personality.
To celebrate her transformation, the Richmond Animal League shared a Facebook post featuring her striking “before and after” photos, highlighting just how far Glowup had come on her journey to health and happiness.
“We started a treatment plan that included medicated baths to soothe her skin, and the results speak for themselves,” the RAL team shared. “We think Ms. Glowup could star in shampoo ads—just look at her incredible before-and-after photos!”
Source: Richmond Animal League
Glowup blossomed into a brand-new girl, finally surrounded by people who truly cared for her. While much of her past remains a mystery, one thing is certain—she’ll never face uncertainty again.
When the time comes, there’s no doubt this sweet girl will brighten the lives of her future family with endless love and affection. And in return, she’ll get the cozy, perfect home she’s always deserved.