Once Overlooked, Opal Goes On to Find a Loving Home

Opal tried to stand.

She managed a few steps before her legs gave out beneath her fragile body. She collapsed onto the ground, exhausted and trembling. And still, her tail wagged.

That small movement told rescuers everything they needed to know. Somewhere beneath the hunger, neglect, and pain, Opal was still hoping.

She was about two years old and weighed just 25 pounds, one of the skinniest dogs her rescuers had ever seen.

Moments like this reveal what prolonged neglect does to a dog’s body and spirit, and how quickly survival can slip away without intervention. Opal’s rescue, later documented by the bristexastails team and shared through the Tears & Tails YouTube channel, shows what can happen when someone steps in before it is too late.

Locked Away and Forgotten

Opal's condition when she was found — Opal’s condition when she was found | Source: bristexastails

Opal had not wandered onto the streets. She had not been lost.

She had been abandoned by the very person meant to protect her.

Her owner admitted he was “bored” of her. For nearly a year, Opal was locked inside a garage, hidden from the world. No sunlight. No affection. No relief from the loneliness.

When rescuers finally reached her, the signs of neglect were overwhelming. She smelled strongly of urine. Her body burned with a dangerously high fever. Her ribs, spine, and hip bones pressed sharply beneath her skin.

Yet even then, her tail never stopped wagging.

That moment stayed with the team.

In the rescue footage, the bristexastails team said, “We knew she was hanging by a thread—and we promised to fight alongside her.”

A Body Pushed Too Far

Opal’s condition made even basic care risky.

Her bones were so visible that feeding had to be done slowly and carefully. Rushing nourishment could have caused serious harm. She collapsed repeatedly, barely able to support her own weight. While her core temperature stabilized, her legs and paws remained ice cold.

The MSD Veterinary Manual notes that “Signs include slow pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, collapse, or unconsciousness. Shivering is not a reliable sign of hypothermia.”

Every minute mattered. Every breath felt precious.

This careful approach was necessary. The ASPCA explains that “Dogs on a re-feeding diet are initially fed small amounts of food that are slowly increased over about two weeks.”

For severely malnourished dogs like Opal, slow nourishment can mean the difference between recovery and sudden complications.

For dogs who have been starved for long periods, rushing food can be just as dangerous as not feeding them at all.

Searching for Hope at the Vet

Veterinary care began immediately.

Bloodwork was run and repeated. Neurological exams followed. The waiting was heavy.

Then came relief.

The results showed improvement. There were no signs of brain damage. Small but meaningful changes appeared, offering hope where fear had dominated only hours earlier.

Opal still had a long road ahead, but the fight was no longer one-sided.

Sweetness That Never Left

Despite everything her body had endured, Opal remained gentle.

She leaned into cuddles. She soaked up affection as if she had been starved of love just as much as food. Her eyes still sparkled with kindness.

Warm baths helped wash away months of neglect, though the scent of her past lingered faintly. Still, something important was happening.

Looking back in the rescue update, the bristexastails team said, “And yet, she began to feel more like a pet—a real, beloved pet.”

Step by Step, Back to Life

Recovery did not happen all at once.

Despite cold weather, Opal began taking short walks outside. Slowly. Carefully. Her weight increased little by little. Her legs stopped trembling with every step. She moved with more confidence each day.

Parasites and worms were treated as her strength grew. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that “Hookworms can cause anemia (decreased red blood cells) and roundworms can lead to poor growth and development.”

In Opal’s case, treatment mattered. Her red blood cell count improved, and her appetite remained steady.

Soon, her body temperature became more consistent. She even started going potty on her own again, a small victory that brought tears to the rescue team’s eyes.

But the biggest change was not medical.

Her spirit grew lighter.