Pepper is a 7-year-old Labrador who needs $850 for immediate treatment of a horrible skin infection and tumor removal.

The first time you see Pepper, you feel shocked: How did anyone neglect a dog so much that the poor animal could end up looking like this? But when Lucky Lab Rescue and Adoption saw Pepper, they looked past her hairless body and saw-- her potential. The moment volunteers noticed the emaciated black Lab's soulful, kind eyes staring out from behind her kennel bars in a Texas shelter, they knew they had to save her and get her medical attention.

A wonderful volunteer, Madison E., picked up Pepper and raced her over to VCA Westcreek Animal Hospital. "We called the vet’s office and told them, 'We have another poor dog that's going to make you scratch your head on where to begin first! But let's triage what she needs to make her comfortable as soon as possible,'" Katherine Martin, the president of Lucky Lab Rescue and Adoption tells Waggle.

The volunteer-based rescue is very hopeful Pepper will soon blossom into the beautiful dog she was meant to be. "We can't thank everyone who donates enough," Martin adds. "Pepper has a long road ahead of her health-wise, but we already love her."

Pepper's ailment list is long, but the rescue and Pepper's foster mom are prepared. So far, they know the dog needs treatment for a horrible skin infection, heartworm, and many lumps that need to be aspirated. Pepper is limping, needs X-rays, and has a tumor on her toe.

"Sadly, we save dogs like this often. It's heartbreaking, and it's horrible," Martin says. "But we take on tough medical cases. We fix them up. We don't shy away from these dogs, hair, or no hair. You wait, she will be beautiful again one day."