Lots of stray and forgotten dogs don’t get groomed, which makes them sad when their fur gets all knotted and messy. But a haircut can really help them feel better.

Just the other day, a dog with really tangled fur got a whole new look and now he’s feeling like a brand new pup!

On July 16th, the South Plains SPCA posted about the most severe case of dog neglect they had ever seen. A 6-year-old dog had really tangled, thick fur and was not doing well.

The SPCA said the dog has patches of rotten skin, hair stuck to the skin so much that it’s grown into the skin, and nails that are 2 inches long.

Kim Moyers, who is the president of the South Plains SPCA, mentioned, “His hair was so matted that it looked like it had been growing for five years. It’s really sad that he was probably wandering around and nobody noticed him. I can’t believe no one saw him looking like that. I’ve never seen a dog in such a shocking condition before.”

The South Plains SPCA brought him in and called him Matt because of his tangled fur. Even though he was in really bad shape, they decided to help him get better and give him another opportunity.

Matt kept crying out in pain whenever they tried to trim his hair, so they had to give him medicine to make him sleepy. They had to carefully cut through a collar and leash that had gotten stuck in his hair, and they ended up shaving off a huge three pounds of fur that had built up over five years.

The SPCA said that the dog had lots of goathead stickers, sticks, grass, and even beetles stuck in his fur. He had bad bruises from his fur being too tight on his skin. The dog was weak and had to take medicine, but luckily he didn’t have heartworm or tick disease because his fur was too thick for ticks to get through.

Matt’s got a lot of healing to do, and he’ll have to see the dentist once the doctors give the green light.

After getting rid of all that yucky fur, Matt’s life is totally different now and he looks like a brand new dog!

Houston informed People that following a grooming session by one of their professional groomers, who also happens to be an SPCA foster, the dog appeared stunning. Houston expressed that the dog is the most beautiful dog they have ever laid eyes on, describing him as simply breathtaking.

The SPCA described Matt as a “sweet boy” upon waking up from his grooming session, and ever since then, he has been experiencing the joys of a content and ordinary life.

Houston informed KLBK that he took his first walk in five years without his heavy coat of hair. His small bottom swayed back and forth, his tail wagged, and he appeared extremely joyful.

Tori Houston is currently fostering Matt, and he will be put up for adoption after he has fully recuperated.

The change in Matt’s appearance is truly remarkable! It is truly saddening to think about the neglect he endured for such a long time, but we are relieved that he is now in a safe environment, groomed, and on the path to a better future.

Please share this incredible story!