Frodo the one-eyed rescue dog0:17
Meet Frodo, the one eyed dog who was lucky enough to be rescued. Credit: Reddit/@markodus
Sorry state: Frodo, covered in mange and half-blind when he was rescued last May. Picture: Facebook/Klaudija SigurnjakSource:Facebook
THEY called him Frodo, presumably because what remained of his shaggy coat looked a little like the ringleted hair of Lord of the Rings character Frodo Baggins.
But for a while there, the tiny rescue dog looked more like the skinny, bald, gargoyle-like Gollum of the same movie franchise.
Starving, covered in mange, hairless except for matted tufts of ginger fur and all but blind, there seemed little hope for little dog found wandering around Croatia last May.
Frodo was almost blind when he was rescued. Picture: Facebook /Klaudija SigurnjakSource:Facebook
The starving dog had chunks of hair missing and infected skin. Picture: Facebook / Klaudija SigurnjakSource:Facebook
Vet care at last as the transformation begins. Picture: Facebook / Klaudija SigurnjakSource:Facebook
Baby steps: The recovering rescue pup takes a tentative walk in the sun. Picture: Facebook / Klaudija SigurnjakSource:Facebook
Until he was given a chance at life by dog lover and rescuer Klaudija Sigunjak.
Eight months on, it’s a classic transformation tale from beast to beauty, with his new owner Marko Dusparo, posting the ultimate before and after pictures of the now pampered pooch on reddit this week.
The little dog’s eyes were so inflamed when he was found that one of them was beyond saving. But vets saved the other eye, and Ms Sigunjak did the rest, sharing his return to health on her Facebook page.
I’m back, baby: Slowly, Frodo got his strength back. Picture: Facebook / Klaudija SigurnjakSource:Facebook
Glint in his eye: Frodo the one-eyed rescue dog gets stronger. Picture: Facebook / Klaudija SigurnjakSource:Facebook
As his wounds healed, his mange retreated and his skin inflammation made way for a new coat, Frodo’s confidence grew.
The one-eyed dog caught the eye of Mr Dusparo by accident, when he stumbled on a picture of Frodo, tongue out, midway into his recovery. He knew he and his wife had to have him.
More surgeries followed, until this week, Mr Dusparo unveiled the “before and after” shots which attracted more than 20,000 votes on Reddit.
Before and after: Frodo’s “before and after” transformation shared by his new owner. Picture: Reddit/@markodusSource:Facebook
Frodo has now left the mean streets behind in exchange for daily cuddles, treats, a bed with Mr Dusparo and his wife, daily runs with his master, and one eye on the camera.
Namesake: Frodo, played by Elijah Wood in Lord of the Rings. Picture: SuppliedSource:News Corp Australia
The rescue dog’s starved frame and stringy coat meant he looked more like Lord of the Rings’ Gollum, when he was first found. Picture: SuppliedSource:News Limited
