Ellie Mae, an 11-year-old Shih Tzu mix, was freed from a 9-pound shell of matted fur by staff at the Nebraska Humane Society. After surgery, the pup is doing well.

When Michigan Humane Society of Detroit rescuers found the 4-year-old Shih Tzu tied to a pole in Detroit, his eyes were ruptured, his hair severely matted and his body emaciated. He was in pain.