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Read the press release here.

Applications Pour in To Adopt Rescued Dog Trimmed of 2 Pounds of Fur

 Ellen, a dog rescued by the Chicago-based Trio Animal Foundation
Ellen the Dog
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LINCOLN PARK — Nearly 200 applications have poured in to adopt a dog recently trimmed of 2 pounds of urine-soaked matted fur.

Although Ellen, an 8-pound dog believed to be a shih tzu-terrier mix, hasn't received a clean bill of health to be adopted, 181 people have applied to be her owners as of late Tuesday night.

"The number of people captivated by her story has been truly remarkable," said Sue Naiden, president of the Lincoln Park-based Trio Animal Foundation.

Ellen now lives at Naiden's house with three other foster dogs.

"Ellen is doing remarkably well with all of the dogs, and I think that they are helping in her recovery more than I am," Naiden said. "Ironically, Ellen has started to groom them."

 Ellen the dog (bottom, center) surrounded with three dogs in her foster home.
Ellen the dog (bottom, center) surrounded with three dogs in her foster home.
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Trio Animal Foundation

Ellen was described as a dog with "a clump of pungent urine-soaked matted fur" when the foundation obtained her from a shelter on July 13.

"We couldn’t even figure out if the dog was a male or female," read a foundation Facebook post titled "FROM HELL TO HEAVEN… ELLEN HAS GOTTEN HER LIFE BACK!"

The post was shared more than 11,500 times.

"When we first saw this dog in its cage, we didn’t know which end was front or back. We had to get a treat to see which end lifted up to sniff," the post read. "As it turned out, the dog had two very petite legs hidden underneath all the knotted fur, and the outer appendages were just matted fur and debris."

A groomer from Mutt Hutt spent 1½ hours shaving 2 pounds of fur from Ellen, who was then given a bath and another trim.

"We see dogs who are in terrible condition of all the time.  Anybody volunteering or working at an open access shelter will see cases like Ellen’s many times throughout the year," Naiden said. "However, in Ellen’s case, I couldn’t believe that nobody stepped up to help her any sooner."

Naiden said the weight and stress of Ellen's extra fur caused issues with balance and movement, and she noted Ellen has a limited range of motion in her rear legs and neck. The dog also had many small open sores all over her body that only recently have started to heal.

Potential adopters can fill out an application at www.projectrescuechicago.org.

Naiden hopes Ellen can heal enough to warrant an adoption to a permanent home.

"For now, Ellen is quiet and seems to be trying to figure out how to act like a dog again," Naiden said.

More photos of the Ellen's transformation can be seen here.

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