At just six months old, Ori’s immune system wasn’t mature enough to fight off demodex, a type of parasitic mite that lives in the hair follicle that is harmless in small quantities…but when it’s prolific, it can cause demodectic mange.

She had bald patches and reddened skin all over her body, dead skin and scabs creating an itchy crust. On her head and face she had scratched some spots raw. But underneath it all, we could see evidence of a black and brown brindle pattern and had faith that she would heal and grow into a healthy, beautiful puppy.

Under the mange was also a lovely personality. At her first bath time with medicated shampoo she was wiggly, social and playful — quite the opposite you’d expect from a dog in her extreme condition. She even seemed to love bath time, almost as if she knew this was her path to recovery.

In her foster home, the medicated baths continued twice a week and her skin slowly began to clear up. Once her fur began to grow back, her foster switched to moisturizing baths to keep her skin hydrated and her coat regrowth shiny and healthy.

It took over a month, but we saw her scabs cover and heal, her hair return, and she finally matched: cute both inside and out.

More than just medicine and bathtime, our fosters provided love and support – nurturing that wonderful personality and teaching her basic manners. Her adopters extend a “huge thanks to the family who fostered her. By the time she became part of our family, she was already so gentle and sweet.”

Now named Belladonna, she has traded medicated baths for sunbathing with her family, lots and lots of cuddles, playing with toys, and being the “Belladonna (Belle) of her local brewery.”

“Everyone loves her and she’s so friendly,” her adopter said. “Belladonna came into our lives at the perfect time and we are so very grateful.”