Physically And Emotionally Neglected Dogs Nurtured By Old Dominion Humane Society Fosters

When Diamond in the Rough (Diamond) and Full on Monet (Monet) were rescued from a severe neglect case in August, it was a sad sight for Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) volunteers. Chrissy Hamilton, ODHS founder, has participated in rescues for more 15 years, and this was a case where the dogs looked like they’d given up all hope of finding a kind human or the chance to run and play fetch. Malnourished, they were merely surviving and existed in kennels with no medical help or any human interaction. That’s when guardian angels took them home to begin the process of healing from their ordeal.

Diamond In The Rough (Diamond) (in photos) was rescued from a severe neglect case by Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) volunteers in August. She arrived at ODHS with numerous maladies, and Ana Ojeda, of Stafford, chose to foster the six-month-old pup because helping dogs in critical condition is not just a passion—it’s her purpose. Ojeda cares for Diamond with medicated baths every three days, topical treatments and soothing skin creams. (The “Before” photo shows Diamond eating without being able to stand up on her own in August. The “After” photo was taken just two months later, showing the dog with strength to stand, fur growing and on the road to recovery.) Diamond is now available for adoption. For more information about the dogs available for adoption and adoption surveys, as well as sponsorships, upcoming events, volunteering, fostering and donating items, visit https://www.olddominionhumanesociety.org

The rescues in the case were named after jewels, because they were “diamonds in the rough.” They could eventually be gorgeous dogs with plenty of care despite the way they looked when they arrived.

Ana Ojeda, of Stafford, chose to foster six-month-old Diamond because helping dogs in critical condition isn’t just a passion—it’s her purpose. She owns Avello Rescue, a rehabilitation center for rescue dogs and specializes in providing physical and emotional healing.

“When I saw Diamond’s condition, I knew I could offer the supportive care and environment she needed to recover,” said Ojeda. “Fostering isn’t just temporary care for me. It’s about giving dogs a true chance to heal, grow and become adoptable so they can find the loving forever homes they deserve.”

Diamond had a long list of maladies, including medicated baths every three days, topical treatments like antibacterial/fungal sprays and soothing skin creams. Because she was malnourished to the point that her ribs showed and had significant muscle loss, she needed to be treated with a complex diet--salmon fish oil, probiotics, immunity supplements, melatonin, brown rice, bone broth, eggs, cottage cheese, as well as antibiotics orally and for her eyes. Diamond’s loose, sagging skin gave her the initial appearance of being a Shar-Pei mix, but it was actually excess skin lacking fat and muscle mass.

The pup had a severe eye infection that caused inflammation, swelling and a prolapsed third eyelid due to a chronic, untreated infection. Flea infestation irritated her skin and resulted in anemia, while mange created patchy hair loss, inflamed skin and intense itching. Diamond had a yeast infection, which made her skin red, itchy and odorous. With crusted, open sores that produced multiple lesions across her body—some scabbed over and others raw and infected—Diamond was uncomfortable and racked with pain.

“Diamond was initially very fearful and wouldn’t eat in my presence,” said Ojeda. “She’d panic when I tried to pick her up. It took time and patience, but she now eats comfortably around me, allows me to carry her and doesn’t hide or try to run. She’s slowly learning to trust.”

Ojeda, an artist, has created coloring pages for each of her fosters. She recently finished Diamond’s drawing, showing the great strides the dog’s made and the healthy, physical transformation she’s already undergone. The public can print it by visiting the link https://avellorescue.org/books-%26-freebies.

When Christina and Kyle Twombly, of King George, saw Monet, another dog rescued from the same case, they didn’t hesitate to foster her. About one year old, Monet receives medicated baths and a skin scrub to remove the mange off her face and ears. She was fed a diet of wet food for the first few weeks, because eating dry food would cause her mouth to bleed. She needed pain medications, oil supplements, antibiotics and eye medication.

When Full on Monet (Monet) was rescued from a severe neglect case, it was a sad sight for Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) volunteers. The dogs looked like they’d given up all hope of finding a kind human or the chance to run on grass and play fetch. Christina and Kyle Twombly, of King George, saw Monet (in photos) and didn’t hesitate to foster her. About one year old, Monet receives medicated baths and a skin scrub to remove the mange off her face and ears. She was fed a diet of wet food for the first few weeks, because eating dry food would cause her mouth to bleed. When Monet is fully recovered, she’ll be available for adoption. (In Photo: Monet in the “Before” photo gets medicated baths to remove the mange on her face since she arrived at ODHS in August. Two months later, in the “After” photo, she’s growing fur, the scabbing is healed and Monet is enjoying the attention from her fosters.) For more information about Monet and the dogs available for adoption, adoption surveys, as well as sponsorships, upcoming events, volunteering, fostering and donating, visit https://www.olddominionhumanesociety.org.

With mange, fleas, a urinary tract infection, nails curled under and toe pads torn and covered in sores, Monet needed a lot of help. She had sores all over her body, and her skin would tear when anything touched it—an ordinary dog collar tore the skin on her neck. Malnutrition caused her teeth to break, and she, like Diamond, had sagging skin. To add to her conditions, Monet is heartworm positive.

“When I started fostering Monet, she’d cower in the back of her crate,” said Christina. “She’s slowly opening up to the point she’ll now put herself right in the chaos of my pack of dogs. She no longer has to be forced to go potty and, instead, she’ll stand up in her crate, telling me she needs to go to the door with the rest of the dogs.”

Monet will need to be spayed and examined by a veterinarian to determine how many teeth may need to be removed before she’ll be available for adoption. Originally, it was believed she’d need to undergo eye surgery, but the veterinarian thinks continuing antibiotics longer may resolve the issue.

“I wanted to foster and care for Monet to make room for another dog to be rescued at the ODHS facility,” said Christina. “It’s very rewarding and heartwarming to see that after two months of fostering, Monet will now come out of her crate on her own to lay on her dog bed. She still has a long way to go, but she’s learning that most humans are actually really nice.”

Diamond and Monet are now available for adoption. Visit www.olddominionhumanesociety.org.