While owning a pet can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, it also requires a lot of responsibility.

Before you adopt a cat or a dog, you should ask yourself questions like do you have the means to take care of a pet? Do you live in a place that allows pets? Are you going to be willing and able to put in the effort to help your pets through any physical or emotional issues that they develop?

If you answered no to any of these questions, adopting a pet is probably not such a good idea for you. It’s always sad for the pet when they end up being adopted by an owner who is unable to fully care for them, and this is exactly the situation that three 11-year-old Shih Tzus named Angel, Katie, and Candy found themselves in.

When their owner brought them to the Spokane Humane Society in Washington, she was hoping to have them euthanized. All three dogs were in rough shape, as they were covered in thick, tangled mats of fur. They also had nails that were so long that they curled over themselves, and each dog was battling dental issues.

They owner told shelter workers that she wanted the dogs to be put down because they had started to bite, but the workers did not want to give up on the dogs just yet. Seeing potential in the animals, they convinced the owner to hand over custody of the dogs to the shelter. Once she had done this, they went to work giving the dogs the makeovers that they desperately needed!

The shelter employees immediately bonded with the dogs, who they nicknamed the “three little ladies.” They teamed up to shave the dogs in a process that took three hours and a whole lot of effort.

Finally, the three little ladies were free from their fur!

By the time they were done, the shelter employees had removed a combined 13 pounds of fur off the three dogs, giving them a new lease on life!

Once they were free from their fur prisons, the unique personalities each of the dogs began to emerge.

“They are doing really well. They are a little surprised, but they are super friendly, super outgoing and relatively happy,” said Pia Hallenberg, development director for the organization.

Katie is the curious one who loves to be kissed.

Then there’s Angel, who loves to cuddle with everyone.

Finally, Candy likes to have shelter volunteers pet her constantly!

While the Shih Tzus still need medical treatments for their various issues, the Spokane Humane Society has already raised $3,200 for them through their Facebook fundraiser and an additional $700 through donations made in person and on their website.

As soon as they are finished with their treatment, the three little ladies will be put up for adoption. We hope that they find the loving forever homes that they deserve!