Sick Stray Confused for a Wolf Gets True Breed Revealed After Rescuers Perform a DNA Test

Courtesy of Hope For Paws

From the archives: This story was last updated in February 2019.

Infested with bacteria, this disheveled stray animal, which looks like a wolf, had pus oozing out everywhere, and was in dire need of medical care. After weeks of TLC, the “wolf” slowly transformed! So, is she a wolf or a wolf-dog hybrid? Her rescuers tested her DNA to find out the answer...

One day, rescuers from Hope for Paws responded to a text message about a “wolf” walking down a street in Los Angeles.

When rescuers arrived at the scene, they noticed the “wolf” inside a gated house.

Courtesy of Hope For Paws

Thinking the creature with disheveled fur was a wolf, rescuer Lisa Chiarelli immediately closed the gate.

However, after observation, they found the animal to be gentle and non-threatening. They thought she might be a wolf-dog hybrid instead.

The stray dog, which they later named Julia, gently accepted the food offered to her.

“Julia had an old rope tied to her which indicates to me that someone owned and neglected her to a criminal level...,” Eldad Hagar, Hope for Paws founder, wrote on Flickr.

Courtesy of Hope For Paws

Chiarelli carefully placed the leash around the dog.

Julia was clearly in pain when she walked with a limp into the rescuers’ car.

Courtesy of Hope For Paws

Julia was taken to a veterinary clinic right away, where she was found to be suffering from mange, bacterial infections, and malnutrition. Covered with infections, her skin was bleeding and had pus oozing out everywhere.

“Julia’s paws were so swollen, her nails were so long...,” wrote Hagar.

The neglected stray was given special baths and medication to treat her wounds.

“When we got the water running, we noticed right away how skinny she was,” Hagar wrote.

Poor Julia was bleeding all over when the water hit her skin and broke her scabs.

The emaciated Julia simply rested her head on Chiarelli’s arm.

Courtesy of Hope For Paws

After grooming, Julia began to look a little less wolf-like and more like a dog.

She then slept on a warm bed, probably for the first time in her life.

With lots of rest, coupled with tender loving care, Julia slowly regained her energy.

She began to wag her tail for the first time!

Courtesy of Hope For Paws

As Julia got better, she was placed in a foster home.

In her new foster home, she had two other dogs to play with.

So, is Julia a wolf-dog hybrid? No. According to DNA results, Julia is actually a 2-year-old German shepherd-Siberian husky mix!

“She is only 2 years old, but such an old soul,” Hagar wrote. “I can’t even imagine what she had gone through during all this time since she was born.”

Soon, Julia found a new forever home with the Snook family thanks to ART N' Paws, a local animal rescue. Finally, she’s now receiving the love she deserves, and doesn’t need to roam the streets for food again.

Courtesy of Hope For Paws

Just look at Julia’s incredible transformation!

Source: ART N' Paws.

Watch the video:

Video courtesy of Hope For Paws (Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube)