From Bald and Broken to Fluffy and Thriving: Nala’s Journey
Last August in Romania, dog rescuer Georgiana Neagu met a puppy she would never forget. The little one, later named Nala, had a striking look — but not for the reasons you’d hope. Though she technically had a home, her owners didn’t know how to care for her.
When Neagu first saw her, Nala was covered in flies, ravaged by a severe skin condition that had left her completely bald. Weak and exhausted, the pup looked up at Neagu with eyes that seemed to plead for a second chance.
Her owners refused to give her up at first, so Neagu — who runs Saving Orphaned Souls Sheila’s Animal Rescue Mission (SOS ARMS) — began visiting regularly to administer treatment. But despite the medication, Nala’s condition only worsened.
“She could barely walk due to a serious calcium deficiency,” Neagu shared. “Her skin was in terrible shape. And emotionally, she was fading. I couldn’t watch her suffer any longer — I had to take her in.”
Eventually, Nala’s parents agreed to surrender her. Neagu rushed her to SOS ARMS headquarters, where a dedicated veterinary team and a welcoming pack of rescue dogs were ready to meet her. Neagu knew the recovery would be long and difficult, but she refused to give up.
For months, Nala endured treatments for her skin, bones, and overall health. Slowly but surely, she began to heal.
“She’s gentle, calm, and always looked at me with eyes full of trust, even when her body was failing her,” Neagu said.
As her skin improved, her fur began to grow back — everywhere except her head. For a time, this gave her a comical yet regal look, like a lion’s mane encircling her neck.
Eventually, the fur returned there, too. Today, Nala is nearly unrecognizable: a soft, fluffy “teddy bear” of a dog, full of life and love.
“Still young, still growing, but already filled with love,” Neagu wrote. “She’s calm, sweet, and absolutely stunning.”
Looking at her now, you’d never guess the suffering she endured. Nala doesn’t dwell on the past — she spends her days making friends, enjoying her newfound health, and waiting patiently for the forever home she deserves.
“She’s nothing but kindness and heart,” Neagu said. “A survivor with a heart of gold.”