<div><p>Leaving a dog chained up outdoors is one of the worst things a pet owner can do. For some reason, certain owners still think it's acceptable to leave your dog <a href="https://www.shared.com/after-10-years-chained-in-the-yard-rescue-group-finally-saves-this-swe-2144815015/">vulnerable to the weather and totally alone</a>.</p><p>Violet the pitbull was left in just this kind of situation. When her rescuers found her she was sunburned and infected with maggots from living in a filthy doghouse.</p><p>The rubber collar on her chain leash had even left a black mark around her neck.</p><p>Angela Stell, whose organization NMDog rescued Violet and 5 other dogs from the same property, says that Violet probably wore that heavy chain her entire life.</p><div><figure><a href="http://www.nmdog.org/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/D2.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.nmdog.org/" target="_blank">NMDog</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>NMDog specializes in rescuing New Mexico's "forgotten dogs," which is exactly what Violet was.</p><p>Her owner had been sent to jail, leaving the property owner to care for his dogs. It's doubtful that anyone was even feeding Violet every day.</p><p>But there were other signs poor Violet hadn't been cared for. She would duck when anyone raised their hand near her.</p><div><figure><a href="http://www.nmdog.org/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/D1-1.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.nmdog.org/" target="_blank">NMDog</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>"I can't imagine what somebody did to maker her do that," Stell told <a href="https://www.thedodo.com/dog-chained-new-mexico-2372411445.html">the Dodo</a>.</p><p><strong>Click the next page to see what Violet looks like today!</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p>With help from a team of loving vets and volunteers, Violet is slowly adjusting to the big wide world she's been kept away from her whole life.</p><p>She still needs lots of medical attention, and to be spayed, but in a few months she'll be looking for a new forever home with a lucky adoptive family.</p><p>Until then, she's learning to socialize, and "just learning about the world around her, and not being chained anymore," says Stell.</p><div><figure><a href="www.nmdog.org" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/D3-1.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="www.nmdog.org" target="_blank">NMDog</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>Violet even has an adorable friend, her stuffed raccoon friend. Although, she's still "shy," and won't let anybody watch her play with it.</p><p>If you want to learn more about NMDog or support them, check <a href="http://www.nmdog.org/">their website</a>. You can also adopt Violet soon, if you live in New Mexico.</p><div><figure><a href="http://www.nmdog.org/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/D4.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.nmdog.org/" target="_blank">NMDog</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><a href="https://www.shared.com/they-thought-it-was-a-pile-of-trash-but-never-expected-to-find-this/">Click here to see another dog's incredible transformation</a>!</p><p>[H/T: <a href="https://www.thedodo.com/dog-chained-new-mexico-2372411445.html">The Dodo</a>]</p><p><strong>Share this adorable dog with another animal lover!</strong></p></div>
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