They say beauty is only skin deep. But what if that skin is so damaged you can’t see what the puppy is supposed to look like?

Paisley was about 3 months old when she was turned in as a stray to Austin Pets Alive!, a nonprofit rescue organization in Austin, Texas. Since its inception, APA! has helped bring the live-release rate of shelter pets in Austin up to 90 percent, and it continues to make strides toward a no-kill culture in the city.

It turned out little pup Paisley had a severe case of manage, an overgrowth of mites commonly seen in very young animals or those with compromised immune systems. Because she required special care, the Pit Bull mix was placed with an APA! foster volunteer, Faith Wright.

“When Paisley came into my house, I wanted to cry,” Faith said. “She was in such bad shape, yet so openly accepted love. I spent the first three nights with her rubbing her body down with coconut oil and helping her scabs fall off so her new hair and skin could develop.”

By the end of the first three days at Faith’s home, Paisley was completely bald and looked a tiny pink piglet. As she continued to receive specialized treatment, the puppy’s hair began slowly growing back in.

Once she was on the road to recovery, Faith could really start to see her sweet personality shine. “She was the happiest puppy in the whole world and would light up every room we walked into and made everyone she met smile,” Faith said. “She never knew a stranger, whether human or animal. She was the calmest puppy I have ever fostered and the most loving girl, as well.”

By the time she was 6 months old, Paisley was healed and ready to be adopted. She found her forever home with Brittany Perez and her family, which includes four young boys who are absolutely enamored with their new puppy.

“Having Paisley in our lives has made us so happy and complete,” Brittany said. “We could not have adopted a more perfect dog. We have no issues with her and no bad habits. The night we got her from Faith, I stayed up just watching her and talking to her and let her know how special she was coming to our wild and crazy family.”

In addition to four human “brothers,” Paisley also has two canine siblings: 11-year-old Trixie, another Pit Bull mix, and 2-year-old Abby, a Dachshund/Jack Russell Terrier mix. “They all three get along great,” Brittany said. “Paisley has made Trixie get up and play around, where as she used to just lie around.”

Brittany said that Paisley, who doesn’t realize she’s no longer lap-sized, is simply amazing. “She has such a great attitude and [is] so laid back for a puppy,” she said. “She has come such a long way. My four boys love her so much. She loves to be held and get hugs. The boys think it is cool that she gives hugs back.”