Dog News

Wait ‘Til You See Mattie’s Makeover…!

by Amy Drew

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A happy Mattie after his makeover! Photo: Columbus County Animal Shelter

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A North Carolina stray has a new look AND a new lease on life after getting a special Easter makeover.

The Columbus County Animal Shelter responded to a call Sunday about a severely injured dog in the Evergeeen area. Officers at the scene found the dog (who would be named Mattie by shelter staffers) with fur so tangled he couldn’t use his right back leg. Overgrowth had made such movements painful.

Help, however, was at hand.

The Wags and Wiggles Dog Salon came to the shelter early Monday and removed six pounds of fur from Mattie, who was cooperative during the haircut — even though the process took three-and-a-half hours.

Once free of muck and overgrown hair, Mattie began — tentatively — using his back leg. It appears that the muscle is somewhat atrophied from lack of use, however. He will likely need a little therapy to get it back where it needs to be.

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Scroll back up. Can you even believe it’s the same dog? Photo: Columbus County Animal Shelter

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He’s also a tad skinny, just 24 pounds following his haircut. Folks at the shelter have started him on a diet to slowly return him to his ideal weight.

He is underweight, weighing just 24 pounds after the haircut, and the shelter has started him on a diet which will slowly return him to his optimal weight.

Early information gathered by investigators seems to indicate the neglect was intentional If you know anything about Mattie, or who was supposed to be taking care of him, please call 910-641-3945. Tipsters can remain anonymous.