Shih Tzu that looked like 'pile of rags' after being found in Greater Manchester given transformation

A blind and deaf dog that looked like a ‘pile of rags’ when he was dumped by a canal in Greater Manchester has undergone an amazing transformation with a new owner. The barely-breathing Shih Tzu, who rescuers named Morris, was discovered with severely matted fur beside the side of a waterway in Greater Manchester.

Morris was initially discovered by a walker near the Ashton Canal, at Portland Basin, in Ashton-under-Lyme, on Friday, March 25, before being brought to the RSPCA.

A walker who first found him was so confused by his looks that he thought he was a cluster of discarded fabric - before realising he was a “terrified” dog. He carried the pooch home to recuperate and then took him to a nearby vet, who then reported him to the RSPCA.

The charity's staff then went to work shaving off 1.3kg of matted fur that had stopped him from moving, which led them to find out that he was blind. Morris spent a few months with the RSPCA before sprightly pensioner Josephine Newhall, 82, fell in love with the plucky mutt and adopted him.

He now has the run of her bungalow, where he has even found a girlfriend in the form of her daughter’s dog, a Lhasa apso called Ruby. Josephine, of Wythenshawe, Grtr. Manchester said: “Morris is a beautiful little dog and enjoys snuggling up to me on the settee.

“He is great company and when you think where he has come from it is a miracle he is still here. We knew he was blind when we took him in. But I have the perfect home for him and he can get in and out of the garden very easily so it is no problem for him.

“I have also found out he is deaf too - but he doesn’t let these disabilities hold him back at all. He loves playing with his tennis ball and loves Ruby to visit but she can be boisterous for him sometimes so he will let her know. They are really good friends and it has helped his confidence."

She added: “The RSPCA did a fantastic job in rescuing and rehabilitating him and I am glad he has the happy ending he deserves."

When inspector Ryan King received a call about him, he rushed to dog the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for emergency veterinary treatment.

He said: “When the man who found Morris first came across him he was laying next to a bench near the canal. As he wasn’t moving he thought the poor pet was already dead.

“On closer inspection, he realised he was breathing but his fur was so heavy and matted he appeared unable to move and he was obviously terrified. Vets at the animal hospital later found he was blind in one eye with glaucoma and had very little sight due to cataracts.

“So it is not surprising he would have been too terrified to move from where he was abandoned. Sadly the vets did all they could to save the eye with cataracts but it later had to be removed.

He added: “I am delighted to see him settled in a new home loving life. It makes my job so worthwhile and this is why we need people to support our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign to help rescue and rehome more dogs like Morris.”