This abandoned dog was so neglected when it was found dumped on the streets that it looked like it was turning to stone.
But after being nursed back to health, the down and out dog is now looking for a new home.
Non-profit animal welfare organisation Save a Greek Stray received a call about a miserable mutt who was in a bad state after being left to starve on the streets of Oropus, in East Attica, Greece.
Staff at the shelter rescued the five-year-old mixed-breed dog, who had a glut of health problems, and nursed her back to health over four months.
Distressed: A stray dog was found starving on the streets of Oropus, in East Attica, Greece
Mistreated: The animal’s face was matted it had turned ‘crusty’ and looked as if it was made from stone
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Transformation: The five-year-old stray was saved by a rescue shelter and nursed back to health
Staff nicknamed the hound Petra, which is Greek for stone – because after being so cruelly mistreated her matted, crusty face looked like it was made of stone.
Shelter manager Irinia Psarrou, 37, said: ‘We were informed of a dog in a bad state near the shelter.
‘After looking for three days, we finally saw her walking by the side of the street.
‘She was very scared of people, and we had to sedate her in order to catch her.
Starved: When non-profit animal welfare organisation Save a Greek Stray found her she was painfully thin
Down and out: The animal cowered away from humans and her ribs were clearly visible
Bath time: She was given medical baths and treatment to improve her skin condition
Cared for: Staff nicknamed her Petra, which is Greek for stone, after they found her in a terrible state
‘She tested positive for mange and other Mediterranean diseases.
‘It took a lot of special medication, medical baths, special spot-ons to improve her skin condition and very good quality food.
‘It took four months for Petra to completely recover – but she is still very scared and shy.
‘Our volunteer Valia visits the shelter once a week to see Petra, trying to rehabilitate her.
‘It took Valia less than two months to bring Petra around to become a happy dog, who enjoys human contact and loves going out for walks.
Healthy: Over four months, Petra began to look like her normal self again and learned to trust humans
Adorable: As her hair grew back, Petra looked like a happy healthy dog again with a thick black coat
Sociable: Petra now enjoys human contact and loves going out for walks at the shelter
Homeless: After being nursed back to health, the down and out dog is now looking for a new home
‘Sadly, she is still at the shelter waiting for her forever home.
‘Unfortunately, Petra is not the only dog found in such a condition – in Greece we are very used to seeing dogs in a similar condition, and we deal with them on a daily basis.’
Save a Greek Stray relies on donations to helps save poorly pooches – it costs around 1,200 euros to rescue and care for one abandoned pup.
The shelter does not charge adoption fees, but asks that adopting families help with the transport to the dog’s new home.