Toy breeds are among the most popular for dog lovers. They’re still cute when mixed up with other breeds, and usually friendly and mild mannered. When neglected or abandoned, their temperament can change.

Moving through the streets of Montreal was one sweet little dog that was mistaken for garbage or an old, discarded toy by locals. Its fur was so caked with dirt that it didn’t resemble a pooch at all. A kind passerby picked him up when he realized it was moving and foraging for food.

The dog was taken in by the Quebec Society for the Protection of Animals, who nicknamed him Rasta. The poor little fellow was homeless and in need of a shave, cleaning, and something to eat. Dehydrated and out of shape, he was totally unrecognizable. All that was visible was one eye and a tiny nose under the matted fur which weighed him down and covered his entire body. Under all that muck, it was hard to tell his true size or gender!

SPA’s team took their time caring for him, and started to clip to away at the thick coat. The entire grooming job took several hours and was stressful for the doggie, who was assumed to be a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Following the intense shaving, Rasta was given a bath and needed a nap. Poor thing!

Watch the video below to see this pooch’s transformation. Rescuers said that about half of his weight was due to the filthy clump of fur he’d been carrying around. When he first arrived, Rasta weighed 17 pounds and could barely walk. After the makeover, his weight was 9 pounds. Since he had trouble walking, he needed to be under the care of a vet and in a foster home before being put up for adoption.

Rasta made a fairly quick recovery, and the handsome pup was put up for adoption two months after his rescue. And though we don’t know his backstory, his adoptive parent shared that Rasta was doing great but afraid to leave the house.

Denys Pelletier, CEO of the Quebec SPA, said they guessed Rasta’s age to be about 10 years old, and that he’d probably been homeless for months. He must have experienced a great deal of trauma before being picked up. If anyone ever needed a makeover and some TLC, it definitely was him!

A small survey conducted in 2015 by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies revealed that homeless pet adoptions were on the rise. What you may not know about Canada, however, is that the country often takes in homeless animals from around the world. That’s right! Dogs and cats travel by air to find refuge with rescue groups all over Canada.

Fortunately for Rasta he was found in the right place at the right time by a kind stranger. The dedicated team at the Quebec SPA continues their good work on behalf of all dogs, cats, and animal-kind throughout the country.

What are your thoughts on this little guy’s transformation? Have you ever rescued an injured or neglected animal? Do you have any rescued pets in your family? Share with us in the comments!