When Valya, from The Orphan Pet, saw the dog in person, he looked even worse than his photo. There was a dog hiding under layers of dirt and dirty fur.

He lived with a woman who passed away, and unfortunately when her apartment was evacuated, the dog was left abandoned on the sidewalk. It is unclear how long he spent without care – was it months or even years?

Valya received a text message asking for help for this dog. He responded immediately. The most heart-wrenching aspect, as Valya noticed upon seeing him, was that it was difficult to feel anything but disgust. The rotten mass lying on the sidewalk remained motionless and silent. But a little tongue came out to lick her hand when she put the water in front of him.

She took the dog home with her, named him “Julian,” and immediately brought him to the vet for care. Julian remained calm through it all, not moving. Somewhere beneath all this chaos lies a canine companion.

Incredibly, Julian allowed them to shave his coat without the need for anesthesia. For four straight hours he remained motionless. Quiet while they rid him of his “armor” made of dirt.

It also turns out that Julian is actually a poodle – a man with a heart condition who is partly deaf and partly blind.

He’s not exactly a polite dog but Valya is totally fine with that. Remember: “Not every dog can have a fairytale ending. Some rescues never end.”

She also noted that “Julian may not be the first-class dog in the world…he’s the version that never existed.” “It’s okay for him to just be himself,” she adds. It’s wonderfully imperfect.

Julian is currently under the care of Save a German Stray. “Even now Julian is still looking for a home,” Valya shares. “Most people are hesitant because of his personality and good age, as well as the condition of his heart.”