Two 'skeletal' dogs rescued in Northern Mariana Islands recover and find homes near each other

Two dogs found at Marine Beach in the Northern Mariana Islands were so thin that a Boonie Babies rescuer said, "They're just little skeletal statues just looking at me like I'm crazy."

Rescuers began helping Lottie and Scar recover while the dogs sought comfort in a shared crate.

Here's what to know

A community member's message alerted rescuers to the dogs. In a video from The Dodo, Grace and Aria, rescuers with Boonie Babies, recounted bringing the pair home and watching their transformation.

Both dogs looked malnourished and had mange. "It looks like it hurts to move, which I'm sure it probably did," Aria said in the video.

The Dodo editor Valentina Sanchez spoke with the rescuers about how the dogs' lives changed after that beach encounter. "It's hard to believe Lottie and Scar are the same two dogs today!" The Dodo wrote in its caption.

More background

As Lottie and Scar began to recover physically, finding adopters proved more difficult. "It's really heartbreaking because I do feel like they get really overlooked," Sanchez said. Aria added, "Mange dogs get overlooked because I think honestly, they scare people."

The pair became constant companions to Grace, who grew close to them while waiting for adopters. Neither dog had drawn interest, even with their hair grown back. "That gave them just enough time for me to fall in love with them," Grace explained. 

What's being done?

For Lottie, the search for a home ended with her own rescuer. "Lottie was a dog that nobody else liked," Grace told Sanchez. She said that Lottie would follow her around everywhere she went. 

According to The Dodo's video, a college friend visiting Saipan as a rescue volunteer decided to take Scar home. "They both got the happy ending they deserved," Grace said.

Where can I learn more?

Lottie and Scar's recovery took care and patience, as it has for other rescued dogs. These stories follow dogs healing from neglect and abuse, regaining their strength, and finding adopters after long waits.

• In California, an emaciated dog rescued from a parking lot found a permanent home.

• After 10 years of neglect, a senior dog finally found rescue and adoption.

• After abuse and homelessness in Bulgaria and London, a dog finally found a home.

• After years of overbreeding, Sharon began to run after initially struggling to walk.

• In England, a dog rescued from a 200-dog property found a home after 1,000 days.

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