“She’s a survivor with a heart of gold” 💛
From Bald and Broken to Beautiful and Beloved: Nala’s Unforgettable Transformation
When Romanian dog rescuer Georgiana Neagu first met Nala last August, the little puppy barely resembled a dog. Bald, covered in flies, and ravaged by a painful skin condition, Nala stood trembling, her eyes filled with quiet desperation. Though she technically had a home, her owners didn’t know how to care for her — and the sweet pup was quickly fading, both physically and emotionally.
“She could barely walk due to a serious calcium deficiency,” Neagu shared. “Her skin was in terrible shape. And emotionally, she was fading. I couldn’t watch her suffer any longer — I had to take her in.”
At first, Nala’s family resisted giving her up. But after weeks of trying to treat the puppy while she remained in their care — with little success — they finally agreed to surrender her to Saving Orphaned Souls Sheila’s Animal Rescue Mission (SOS ARMS).
A Long Road to Healing
At SOS ARMS’ headquarters, Nala was met with a warm welcome: skilled veterinarians, devoted caregivers, and a family of rescued dogs ready to accept her. The odds were steep, but so was Neagu’s determination.
“Her healing journey was long,” Neagu recalled. “Months of treatments for her skin, bones, and overall health. But she never gave up.”
Despite the pain she was in, Nala never stopped trusting her rescuer. She seemed to know that she was finally safe.
“She’s gentle, calm, and always looked at me with eyes full of trust, even when her body was failing her,” Neagu wrote.
As the weeks passed, Nala’s skin improved. Her fur began to grow back — first around her neck and body, giving her the comical and endearing appearance of a lion with a fluffy mane and a bald head. The rescue team lovingly called it her “lion look,” a badge of her resilience.
A New Beginning
Eventually, even her head began to sprout soft fur. With each passing month, the tiny, hairless puppy transformed into a large, joyful dog — one who now turned heads with her plush, teddy bear coat and kind, steady eyes.
“Today, she’s thriving,” Neagu wrote. “She’s calm, sweet, and absolutely stunning. Still young, still growing, but already filled with love.”
Looking at her now, you’d never guess how far Nala has come. The hardship seems long forgotten in her mind — she’s too busy making friends, wagging her tail, and waiting patiently for the loving forever home she so deserves.
“She’s nothing but kindness and heart,” Neagu said. “A survivor with a heart of gold.”