A Classic Disney Tale Complete With a Happy-Ever-After

DISNEY movies are renowned for their happy-ever-after and that’s exactly what’s happened for this pooch with the namesake.

Once upon a time, on a dark and gloomy day, a three-year-old Shar Pei named Disney arrived into the care of Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

Just like the beginning of the children’s classic, The Ugly Duckling, it was devastatingly obvious that he was an unloved stray when he arrived in October 2016 — he was in an appalling state.

Without a microchip, collar or tag, Disney looked gauche and sadly no one came looking for him.

His body was covered in itchy and sore mange, he was malnourished and completely overwhelmed by his whole ordeal of life on the streets.

During his medical consultation, the veterinary team discovered Disney also suffered from an incredibly painful condition called Entropian.

This condition is when eyelids grow inwards, causing extreme discomfort from eyelashes continuously rubbing against the cornea, which in turn decreased his vision.

The vet team worked tirelessly to perform a delicate operation on Disney to correct his condition.

Over a number of weeks the whole team of staff and volunteers at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home meticulously treated Disney’s skin to rid him of the awful mange.

All thanks to our food sponsor, Hills Pet Nutrition, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home were able to get Disney to a healthy weight by using Hill’s Science Diet, and his body responded wonderfully.

With all the love and affection Disney received from everyone, his joyful personality slowly began to shine — he was experiencing love like never before.

The playful boy was also evolving into a handsome prince, and his glossy coat was his pride and joy.

As he patiently waited for his fairy tale ending, a hard-working volunteer, who has been at the shelter for seven years, Elena, began to fall in love with the adorable mutt.

Helping to care for him took on a whole new meaning for Elena, and soon true love broke the evil spell cast over Disney.

After six months, and a long road to recovery, the happy-ever-after came to fruition for Disney and his new family.

For Elena and her family, their life now feels complete.

The moment Disney became part of the family, they loved and adored the pooch who had come from ugly duckling to a magnificent swan.

“Everyone’s sooo happy. Disney slept well. I got up a couple of times to put extra blankets on him,” Elena said after their first night as a family.

Whether he is the frog who turned into a prince, or the ugly duckling that grew into a beautiful swan, the transformation everyone saw Disney go through proves every rough mutt deserves their fairy tale happy-ever-after.

Help us cement the future and continue caring for Sydney’s lost and abandoned pets, just like Disney.