Severely Ill Husky Left in Backyard for Over a Year is Unrecognizable After Rescue

After being left in a Texas backyard for over a year, one husky has undergone a dramatic transformation just two months after finding a foster home.

The 5-year-old dog, Rocky, was left in the yard after his owner died and received only basic care, according to Best Friends Animal Society, as reported by People.

By the time North Texas-based Mutts N Such Rescue became involved, Rocky was underweight and had lost much of his fur. He was diagnosed with mange, flea allergy dermatitis, intestinal parasites, a heart murmur and heartworm.

Lots of TLC was the obvious path. Though, Rocky would still need a forever home to recover and live in comfort. A foster initiative organized by Best Friends Animal Society helped the organization expand its network and find him a temporary home. Thankfully, someone answered the call—and then some.

A Temporary Foster Quickly Became More

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Fort Worth resident Ashley Buchart said coming across Rockys story “stopped me mid-scroll.”

Buchart knew she needed to take care of that dog.

She initially planned to foster Rocky only while he recovered. Before he reached her home, another foster cared for him for 48 hours while Buchart got everything ready.

When Rocky arrived, Buchart was surprised by how quickly he trusted her. “I think at that point he was just so shut down that he was just ready for somebody to take him in,” she told The Dodo.

Once inside, Rocky found the dog bed waiting for him and promptly fell asleep. Buchart said he slept for two days.

Over the following weeks, she watched Rocky begin to leave what she described as “survival mode” and settle into “puppy mode.” Her temporary fostering plan was crumbling. Fast.

“He’s never leaving here. He is home,” Buchart told The Dodo. She adopted him herself.

Buchart celebrated becoming a “foster fail” in a Sept. 17 Facebook post, admitting, “I’m pretty sure everyone who knows me knew this was destined to happen.”

Rocky Looks Like a Different Dog

Rocky spent much of his first few weeks with Buchart going back and forth to the veterinarian.

His recovery soon became visible. Rocky’s fur began growing back, his legs became stronger, and he started getting the zoomies—bursts of playful running—during walks and jumping when he got excited.

Just two months after Rocky entered her life, Buchart said the difference was “night and day.” The dog who had arrived exhausted and severely ill was acting like a puppy again.