The Cutest Face Is Revealed When A Matted Rescue Dog Gets A Makeover

“I’m so proud of how far she’s come” ❤️

Irie was a little bundle of matted fur when she was taken up by a local animal shelter. The panicked Maltese mix’s face and torso were wrapped in knots, rendering her unrecognisable. She wanted a makeover to feel more like herself — and maybe even find a place to live.

As a result, the shelter shaved Irie shortly before taking over her care.

And what they discovered beneath the hair astounded them all.

“Animal control did an excellent job with her shave,” Irie’s caretaker, Hillary Gillinder, told us. “She let them shave her for almost 45 minutes before becoming agitated. The remainder had to be done in short spurts both there and at my house after she arrived.”

No one knew much about Irie’s history or how her fur had become so matted, but they worked hard to chip away at the muck until her gorgeous face was exposed.

Irie still had some mats that needed to be taken out with scissors after the large pieces of hair were removed. Her hair is starting to grow back, and she’ll need another cut shortly. Meanwhile, she’s still working on learning to trust people who love her.

“She is totally scared of boy dogs in particular and quite afraid of males,” Gillinder explained. “We don’t know what happened to her before she came to us, but all we can do now is help her develop and make amends with love and care.”

The 11-pound dog is typically quiet, although he enjoys vehicle rides and plush animals. Gillander also listens to music to help her relax.

“I’m really pleased of how far she’s gone since I acquired her,” said Gillinder. “She started avoiding me and even barking at me through her cage. She now follows me everywhere and enjoys jumping up on the sofa and rolling about in the nice covers!”

Irie’s individuality will emerge in time, but for the time being, she won’t be burdened with mats.

“Thinking about all she must have gone through is sad,” Gillinder added. “She’s going to have a tougher life than most canines.” But she is adamant about finding a lasting home for herself.”