It’s amazing what a simple grooming session can do, especially for a dog in need. Many stray or neglected dogs suffer not only from hunger and exposure but also from the weight of tangled, matted fur that causes them discomfort. Recently, a stray dog was found in such poor condition that she was almost unrecognizable, hidden under a mass of fur that resembled more of a wig than a dog — but her story took a beautiful turn thanks to a rescue group that gave her a second chance.

Mac’s Mission, a Missouri-based nonprofit that specializes in rescuing dogs with special needs, encountered this severely matted stray on the road. They took her in and named her Pear. The poor dog was in dire shape, her body completely swallowed by thick, knotted fur.

“When we first found her, Pear didn’t even look like a dog,” the rescue shared. “She looked more like a wig — just a tangled mass of hair.” Realizing she needed immediate care, the team got to work, treating her to a much-needed grooming session. Volunteers worked patiently to free Pear from her dirty, matted fur, giving her a “spa treatment” that involved a full shave and a long bath to rid her of grime and fleas.

“She was such a sweetheart through the whole process,” rescue founder Rochelle Steffen told Newsweek. “She just sat there patiently as we worked to remove the thick mats. It took quite some time, but she was so calm.”

Fortunately, Pear didn’t have maggots or other serious issues in her fur, and she avoided getting hit by cars during her time on the streets. However, rescuers did notice that Pear was missing one eye, possibly from a past injury.

After her makeover, Pear was almost unrecognizable. The rescue shared before-and-after photos online, revealing a truly heartwarming transformation. “Pear has a new life ahead of her thanks to everyone who helped,” the rescue wrote in a Facebook post, expressing gratitude to their supporters.

Now cleaned up and comfortable, Pear quickly settled into her new surroundings and even managed to get some well-deserved rest. With her tangled fur and troubled past behind her, Pear can now look forward to a brighter future.