The Worst Case of OES Matting I've Ever Seen
Shaggy Bear's owner had passed away and the care of the dog was left up to the owner's son. Animal Control had received several calls on Shaggy Bear, who was chained outdoors for at least six months. Here's what we found at the shelter and Shaggy Bear's transformation back to a lovely Old English Sheepdog: Arriving at our house: 
Some hair trimmed away from the eyes so he could see: 
Working through the mats. Note the muddy mats on his legs...the stench was awful! 
Completely shaved down and bathed. What a feeling!!! 
Is that a smile on his face? 
Seventeen (17) pounds of matted hair were removed from this dog. His skin is saggy from the weight of the mats and he has red marks on his neck where a choker chain cut in. His ears are infected pretty badly but are improving every day. I'm sharing this to remind people to please make provisions for your pets in the event of death or inability to care for them. I'm sure that Shaggy Bear's deceased owner had not planned for him to end up in this condition. Before entrusting a family member or friend with the care of a beloved pet, be sure they are willing and able to take on the task. The behavior and maintenance of an OES is not for everyone. If you do not have an agreement with your breeder, please be sure that your wishes are clearly detailed in your will. BYW, Shaggy Bear is now looking for a home and is listed on our Petfinder site! 
Nita Indiana-Midwest OES Rescue Greensburg, IN indyoes@mac.com |
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Maggie McGee IV wrote: On Tuesday, I received a call from the director of a nearby animal shelter, telling me they had taken in an OES that had been badly neglected. Since it wasn't far away, I went to the shelter and found "Shaggy Bear", a three year old OES MAT.
Shaggy Bear's owner had passed away and the care of the dog was left up to the owner's son. Animal Control had received several calls on Shaggy Bear, who was chained outdoors for at least six months. Horrifying. How in gods name could the son not realize the distress this dog was in with all these mats. I hope the creep who tortured this dog gets his just reward. Thanks for rescuing and making him beautiful. |
Truly unbelievable. 
Thank you for saving this puppy. He looks so much happier already! And thank you for the reminder about planning ahead for our sheepies in the event of an untimely passing. Laurie and Oscar |
| Those pics made me cry! Poor Buddy! All he's gone through, his master gone, chained outside...
I don't know if it's a smile, but he must feel freer. He can move again! Woo hoo!! Thank you SO MUCH! |
| Oh my gosh! To think someone came to feed that dog and didn't feel guilty looking at how horrible he had gotten boggles me. ...esp if this was their dad's dog |
OH MY  It is just a good thing you have him Nita!! He could not have landed in a better place  What a sweet sweet face. |
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| Visions like those are why I have a hard time with people. How could anyone let another living being get in that condition? Even though he was not the son's dog originally there is no excuse for that kind of total disregard for another soul. I think we need to bring back stocks.....let people be publicly punished for their cruelty. God bless your heart for helping Shaggy Bear! If our world had more people who cared it would be such a better place for everyone! |
| Thank you Nita!!
What a fabulous transformation!! Shame on that son!!!  |
| Oh dear.
THANK you so much for helping this sweetie. |
| OMG Nita. How awful!!! |
| that made me cry. What must that poor baby have been going through? Thank god you were there to help him. Lets hope he finds a good home.. |
| Did anyone notice the top corner of the index page?
http://forum.oes.org/ |
| The pictures of Shaggy Bear just break my heart. I too do not understand how anyone could let a sweet little sheepie get to this condition and leave him chained out side to boot, and not do anything. Thank you so much for saving him. He looks so relieved to be shaved down and clean again. I hope he finds a furever home soon with someone who will love and appreciate him. |
| That is awful and yet through all of it he still has a happy face!!
I hope he finds a new home where he will be treat like a King. |
| And I thought Zorro was bad when he came to us, well done Nita for all your hard work and compassion, we hope you find a good home for him soon. |
| Wow Nita,
This boy is lucky to have found you! I'm sure they would not have kept him long in that condition. What a transformation. He's a beautiful boy with a beautiful face, nice structure and what a neck! It still amazes me how they can be so trusting after what they have gone through. I hope he is lucky enough to find a wonderful home. Thanks for what you do! Zach |
| Nita,
If you hear anything about them pressing charges on the son, please let us know. I'm really interested to hear what happens. I've been so mad about this since you first shared it. |
**Gasp** **Shock** **Horror** 
Relief.  Thank God you have him and he's free of that hairy prison.
I will never cease to be amazed at the utter disregard some people have for other living beings.
Thank you, Nita, for rescuing this sweet baby boy.  |
| Wow, Nita, that is horrid. Thank you for saving this little guy. |
Quote: If you hear anything about them pressing charges on the son, please let us know. I'm really interested to hear what happens. I've been so mad about this since you first shared it.
Ditto Just no excuse for letting a sheepie get like that. He just looks so relieved to be free from all that filth. |
| That makes me sad and mad at the same time |
| I can't believe someone could let him get so bad! He must feel a million times better. |
| Nita, what a horrific story. Thank goodness Shaggy Bear was finally rescued. You certainly did a lot of work for him and he looks like he really appreciates it. |
That poor boy, having to live like that for so long! 
Nita, you're an angel for him right now.  Thank you so much for tending to this neglected boy.  And for all he's been through, to have such a happy look on his face is just payment back in spades!!  He will make someone a fantastic pet. |
| WOW! |
| So sad! I can't help but cry about the befor pics of Shaggy Bear. God Bless you Nita for taking such good care of him. He is beautiful. I'm 41 yrs old and I worry if I die what would happen to my babies. I'm showing my family the pics of Shaggy so they know what NOT to do. |
| wow....that is just HORRIBLE!! Are people blind? stupid? or do they just really NOT care? It just makes me sick....
Thanks Nita!! He looks amazing and yes, I think thats a hint of a smile on his face!!!! |
| Wow, he looks gorgeous now... what a difference a little love makes! |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: Is that a smile on his face?
Dogs are amazing, and we have so much to learn from them. After all he's been through he seems to hold no grudge or rancor, and snaps right back into cheerfulness. |
| O M G!!!!!!!
What a poor guy!!!! Nita you are a star!!! The last picture says it all!! he looks a happy sheepie now!!!! |
| Nita
He look great and I for one beieve that is a big happy face  |
| Wow, I can't even believe that! Poor guy. |
| these pictures make my stomach and my heart wrench...I hope all the love he recieves from now on can erase all that torture....
Are any criminal charges being brought against this guy? It is definitely neglect and borders on abuse in my book! |
Zooba07 wrote: these pictures make my stomach and my heart wrench...I hope all the love he recieves from now on can erase all that torture....
Are any criminal charges being brought against this guy? It is definitely neglect and borders on abuse in my book! He was picked up by County Animal Control so there may be charges filed. I'm just glad I didn't have to deal with the guy who was supposed to be taking care of Shaggy Bear.
Shaggy Bear was neutered today and is resting comfortably in his crate. He had a sebaceous cyst removed from his neck and a long dewclaw on his rear leg removed so it wouldn't be torn off accidently. He's being treated for whipworms and infected ears but is otherwise in surprisingly good shape.
I can't thank Jamie at the shelter enough for going out of her way to get Shaggy Bear into rescue. Few dogs in a shelter looking like him would have been given a second chance. Thanks for all your support here on the forum, too!  |
| Glad he is resting comfy after his BIG day!
I meant to say "He looks great and I believe he is smiling!" (I think I must have been in a hurry on that last post!) |
| Nita...you are an Angel!!! I can't wait to hear about Shaggy Bear's new family when he is placed. He is a beautiful boy. What a shame he had to go through all that. |
| no excuse in that. |
| Looking at the b4 and after pictures
THAT IS A GREAT BIG "THANK YOU" SMILE ON HIS FACE:D Well done for putting the smile back on his face... Shame on the pond life who took it off... |
| I just received a few more "before" photos from Jamie, the shelter manager so I thought I'd share them:
Shaggy Bear - left side: 
It was obvious that he laid mostly on this side as the matting was thickest. He was even more uncomfortable trying to lay down on his right side. Shaggy Bear - right side: 
When I drove up with a medium sized vari-kennel in the SUV, I was asked where we got the crate. The shelter doesn't even have a crate large enough to fit a German Shepherd in. We've promised to donate a crate to them and bring Shaggy Bear back to visit. The least we could do for saving this boy.
If you happen to be cleaning out your garages and have extra crates, bowls, leashes, towels, blankets, etc., please ask a rescue or shelter if they can use them before throwing them out. They will be greatly appreciated by many groups. |
| Every time I see that picture it make me sick and angry that someone would treat an animal like that. Thank you so much for taking him in and God bless you.
When I got Maggie, she was badly matted, filthy dirty and stunk. But no where near as bad as your rescue. Even so it took the groomer two sessions and a tranquilizer for the dog to shave her down. |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: I just received a few more "before" photos from Jamie, the shelter manager so I thought I'd share them:
When I look at those pictures I wonder how the owner's son could stand the stench let alone the hideous mats. He cannot have a heart to look at this poor dog day after day in such a state of suffering. Nita, thank you again for bringing comfort to a much deserving dog. |
| Wow! That is all just unbelievable. How amazingly wonderful to find such a handsome boy under the yucky, mucky matts. I am so glad that someone finally noticed and that he was saved. I hope he has a wonderful rest of his life. He looks like he could bring someone alot of happiness. |
| It is so hard to log onto the forum and not look at the pictures, over and over again. Nita, you are an angel, as is Jamie. A true inspiration to all. |
| The before pictures say it all ...Animal Cruelty, but the after pictures tell a different story...one happy camper!
Thank you for what you did for him |
| That is so sad. Any word on how he is with kids or cats? |
| Shaggy Bear is in a "foster to adopt" home as of Sunday. Hopefully things will work out for him there. |
| Doing a happy dance for you and
Shaggy Bear |
| I still can't believe that someone could actually do this to a dog. It truly breaks my heart to even think about it much less look at the pictures. |
| The before pictures made me sick to my stomach. How can anyone do this?
I hope he finds a wonderful home and lives the life of Riley. |
| Shaggy Bear deserves the best, after all that poor boy's been through. I hope he's found his furever home. |
| Well, Shaggy Bear isn't working out in his new home. He cannot ride in the car without barking and jumping and has some resource guarding tendencies.
He is back up on Petfinder and hopefully, after working with him more he'll be a great pet. He's been through so much.
Nita |
| Awwwww....Nita I am so sorry
I know you can find him the best home ever! Hang in there! Hugs |
| Poor Shaggy Bear. |
| Awww....poor fellow. I agree with Kathy, though, I know you'll find him the right home with folks who can work with him. |
| I'm a couple of months behind the posts, but that is what my Denny looked like when I got him. The people I rescued him from only had intentions of breeding him, my poor kid hadn't even seen grass before he came to our house. I have a full time job, 3 &5 year old sons, and each of my sheepies get at least an hour of brushing a day. The people who had him first didn't give him more than a moment of their time. |
I just read this for the first time. I really dont like coming to this section because it makes me cry everytime. I wish people would realize that having a dog is more than throwing food and water to them. A LOT MORE. I feel guilty when I can only give the dogs a quick once over with the brush, but at least they get brushed everyday. It makes me so sad to see people treat animals this way. Are there any updates on Shaggy Bear? So sorry things didnt go well Nita. You are truely a great person for helping this poor pup.  Thank you |
| I hate people sometimes
You've done an amazing job, Nita. I'm sure this poor guy feels so much better now because of you |
| Thanks for your kind words about Shaggy Bear. He came back and spent a few more weeks with us and unless riding in the car, he was a great dog while a guest in our home.
Last Wednesday, he was adopted by a semi-retired man near Kankakee, IL, who has adopted several OES from Grace of Chicagoland Rescue (with her blessing). He has an OES sister and room to romp and so far is doing well in his new home.
Nita |
| Glad that Shaggy Bear has found a new home and is doing well. |
That is such great news. I'm happy for mr shaggy. Glad he found a home and a "sister" to boot.   |
Great news, maybe Shaggy is just a homebody  |
That is just amazing! I wouldn't have belived that if I didn't see the pictures with my own eyes! The son should be charged with cruelty to animals for sure and it would be nice to hear what happens to him. People like him make me so mad! 
Thank god you were there to rescue that poor boy! he looks so much happier now! |
| Okay! I'm probably going to be in SO much trouble for saying this but it HAS to be said.
I usually freak out on people who do this and I'm not a big human fan. However this case is different- potentially. He was the SON of this woman, he lost his MOTHER!!! Do you honestly think he was making good decisions or thinking straight? I want to know where the other family members were? THEY were the ones who should have been looking after both the son and this dog. I'm not saying what was done was right in any way- it was awful. But think about his mental state. If you compound this with the fact that he may not have known how to care for an animal, the fact that his mother may have left the dog to him and he didn't want to disappoint her or give him up, but it may also have been too painful for him to go near the dog- it all makes for a BAD situation, for all parties. This is not some simple- oh he's a bad person and hurt that poor animal situation it's a lot more complicated than that. I'm very thankful the shelter stepped in and seized the dog he looks so much happier now. But this man may not deserve the regular animal cruelty hate. When I lost my OES two years ago i didn't want anything to do with another OES and when my family brought Roxie home (as a rescue) only a month and a half after Freddie, I wouldn't look at her or touch her. Every time i glimpsed her in my vision i would turn and think 'Freddie?' then see her and cry. Roxie is the OES version of a lap dog and warmed her way into my heart, but not until after my parents sat me down and told me to smarten up, it wasn't Roxie's fault Freddie died and I had to stop blaming her for it. I needed them to say that and I also needed Roxie to help me let go of Freddie. Although I never physically hurt her- I held back my love- which is worse. She is now my second favorite dog and first favouite female dog (we only own OES- we're OES people). This man needed someone to help him realize that it wasn't the dog's fault. He needed someone to tell him to smarten up for both his own sake and the dog's welfare. That person wasn't there and didn't do their job. I have a feeling both parties suffered here. And I feel for them both. That's all i have to say on this thread I won't post again sorry if I bursted some bubbles I'm super happy he's being taken care of. He just looks tickle pink in that last picture hehe. |
| I appreciate hearing your point of view, Victoria01. The original intent of this thread was to remind people to make provisions for their dogs in case they may no longer be there to care for them. They can be a quirky breed requiring lots of maintenance. Not a dog that many friends or relatives are capable of caring for. Few shelters have the resources to take care of large dogs and large dogs in this condition are generally euthanized. That's where we as Rescues come in. We want to people to know that when they become overwhelmed with the cost and maintenance of this breed that there are options. They don't have to be tied in someone's back yard living in muck after knowing the comforts of being an indoor pet.
Shaggy Bear came to us through Animal Control so we do not know the family he was with personally. Animal Control had multiple cruelty calls on this dog and finally got what they needed to seize him from the son of the deceased owner. If there is punishment for this crime, it is the County's responsibility for dealing with that. We just were glad to have one less dog in an obviously bad situation. Unfortunately, there are many more out there where the owners will not surrender or even sell the dogs to get them in a better situation. These dogs continue to be tied to trees in all kinds of weather with no veterinary care. Or worse. It is encouraging that more people are looking to Rescues as an option for re-homing dogs that they can no longer afford or they have become overwhelmed with. Most of us are listed right here on oes.org or have Petfinder sites or rescue web sites. We assist people who are going through bad times to deal with behavioral or maintenance problems and have even offered to temporarily foster dogs or find vet care when finances were a problem. We're not grief counselors but we've lost dogs ourselves. Most of us are willing to share those stories, too. Shaggy Bear is now doing fine with a man who really loves him and knows how to deal with a dog from a rocky past. Luckily, we've had dogs come in with minimal issues. Sometimes wonderful dogs are surrendered just because the family can't afford to care for them. Or become overwhelmed by training or grooming. I personally try not to judge anyone for their reason for surrender, just try to get them into a loving home where they will be properly cared for. Nita Midwest OES Rescue |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: I appreciate hearing your point of view, Victoria01. The original intent of this thread was to remind people to make provisions for their dogs in case they may no longer be there to care for them. They can be a quirky breed requiring lots of maintenance. Not a dog that many friends or relatives are capable of caring for. Few shelters have the resources to take care of large dogs and large dogs in this condition are generally euthanized. That's where we as Rescues come in. We want to people to know that when they become overwhelmed with the cost and maintenance of this breed that there are options. They don't have to be tied in someone's back yard living in muck after knowing the comforts of being an indoor pet.
Shaggy Bear came to us through Animal Control so we do not know the family he was with personally. Animal Control had multiple cruelty calls on this dog and finally got what they needed to seize him from the son of the deceased owner. If there is punishment for this crime, it is the County's responsibility for dealing with that. We just were glad to have one less dog in an obviously bad situation. Unfortunately, there are many more out there where the owners will not surrender or even sell the dogs to get them in a better situation. These dogs continue to be tied to trees in all kinds of weather with no veterinary care. Or worse. It is encouraging that more people are looking to Rescues as an option for re-homing dogs that they can no longer afford or they have become overwhelmed with. Most of us are listed right here on oes.org or have Petfinder sites or rescue web sites. We assist people who are going through bad times to deal with behavioral or maintenance problems and have even offered to temporarily foster dogs or find vet care when finances were a problem. We're not grief counselors but we've lost dogs ourselves. Most of us are willing to share those stories, too. Shaggy Bear is now doing fine with a man who really loves him and knows how to deal with a dog from a rocky past. Luckily, we've had dogs come in with minimal issues. Sometimes wonderful dogs are surrendered just because the family can't afford to care for them. Or become overwhelmed by training or grooming. I personally try not to judge anyone for their reason for surrender, just try to get them into a loving home where they will be properly cared for. Nita Midwest OES Rescue Nita, Great work with Shaggy Bear. I am so very impressed with what you have done and your perspective on the subject. Should you need some type of tactical support related to rescue don't forget about Rose, Tess and I. Ricardo |
| The pictures prove that an OES's spirit can not be broken and their smile will always remain. The pictures of him smiling through the process of being shaved which could not be comfortable, attest to the breeds true character! I am so glad that he is safe, clean and of course HAPPY! |
(Copy everything in red)  This was near me in the UK |
These were the people who owned the dog. They could not afford to get him groomed  |
| He was put down in the end. No too sure why after he was cleaned up he looked OK. If you ever see these people in the UK GRRRRR. Still could not find out what the courts gave them. They went to court in Bedford where I live |
| I remember that story P. It was dreadful I didn't know they were near you though. |
| The reason I added it in agan so people don't forget these faces & what they had done |
| I have never seen these pictures, it is hideous. Having no money for grooming is no excuse, they could easily have taken a pair of scissors and cut out mats themselves if they didn't want to brush, not letting it get to that state. |
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