Having been neglected, the poor dog was emaciated. His coat was in a terrible state and he seemed utterly dejected.
Sadly, the part of Colony Ridge where Zubin roamed is known for having many stray dogs.
A ghostly figure
To help the abandoned dogs, rescuers Zully Vasquez Ventura and Jenny Rodriguez feed them and provide care. In October 2023, when they spotted Zubin, they knew they absolutely had to help him. They shared his story on social media, nicknaming him "a nameless ghost", and hoped someone would see their posts and offer to help.
And their plea worked! Amanda Houghton in Austin, Texas, spotted Zubin on her newsfeed and was immediately drawn to him. She contacted Jack Jack's Pack Street Dog Rescue and offered to foster Zubin.
A remarkable recovery
Amanda went to collect Zubin, but when she first met him, he was so weak that she feared he wouldn't make it through the night. Zubin was suffering from sarcoptic mange, a highly contagious skin disease caused by microscopic mites. However, thanks to medicated baths and proper care, his coat gradually began to recover.
When he arrived, the dog weighed around 60 pounds. Today, he's almost 90 pounds, with an ideal weight of around 110 pounds. There's still a long way to go, but Zubin's progress has been spectacular. His personality is also starting to shine through: he's discovering toys, getting used to sleeping on the sofa, and even playing with other dogs!
