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New home, new look for pooch By Buffy Pollock Jan 21, 2022 05:00 AM A A MEDFORD — While Monday mornings aren’t a favorite for most, a shaggy, formerly homeless pup named Ranger kicked off his week by being treated to a sorely needed makeover by Lucky Dog Pet Salon owner Courtney Norris. By the time he was picked up again by his doting owner, Ranger had lost half his body weight — in hair. Jamie / Mail Tribune Courtney Norris, owner of Lucky Dog Pet Salon, gives Ranger a much-needed makeover Monday. Norris said she responded to a social media post last week showing the condition of the matted, near dreadlocked black pooch with a gigantic grin. Before she could even respond on her own, a slew of locals sent her screenshots of the post urging her to help the dog. Homeless for the last couple of years, Ranger and his favorite human recently made their way off the streets and into transitional housing. With a change in luck, Ranger needed a new look. The pup’s hair was sporting 6 to 8 inches of tangled, matted hair all over his frame. Ranger’s owner, who asked not to be named, got the dog more than a dozen years ago at a puppy mill. The pair lived in an apartment until becoming homeless two years ago and living between shelters and on the streets. New residents at a transitional housing site in Medford, the senior pup and his master were both ready for more clean-shaven looks. Matted and not-so-fresh, but still wagging his tail, Ranger’s tongue lolled out of his mouth as he stared lovingly at Norris. Her shop is a go-to spot for local poodle and doodle owners, but Norris was unsure from his photos whether Ranger was some kind of doodle, a poodle or another super-shaggy breed. Surveying the massive clumps of hair before shaving off what appeared to be the pelt of a sizable animal of some sort, Norris cradled the pup’s face after more than 30 minutes of shaving and observed that his snout was more narrow than a doodle’s would be. Left to form “cords,” Ranger’s hair had started to twirl and create long dreadlock-type strands. Some of the mats were so tight and large that Norris suspected the knots affected his movement. “I think he’s actually just a standard poodle underneath all that hair. Doodles have wider faces,” said Norris, smiling at Ranger. “I have a standard poodle at home, and they knot up quicker than you could imagine. Everything sticks to their hair, and this weather hasn’t been doing us any favors. You can tell this guy is obviously very happy and well loved. He’s a really, really nice dog. Now he’s probably going to feel like a brand-new dog.” Norris said at least one community member dropped off money for Ranger’s new “do,” but she planned to pass any donations along to Ranger’s owner for supplies. The salon even chipped in to buy Ranger a new, royal blue winter coat — to stay warm after so much hair had to be taken off. Medford resident Genevieve Cherry, who posted Ranger’s photos on social media to try and find help, said Ranger’s owner was grateful and humbled by Norris’s willingness to lend a hand. Cherry, who also was recently homeless and moved into the same transitional housing near Ranger and his owner, said she took an immediate liking to the dog. Cherry said she lost several older animals of her own over the past couple years, and the shaggy black pup and his sweet temperament tugged at her heartstrings. “I have a huge heart for animals. I don’t know if Ranger and his owner moved in just before or after me, but I hadn’t seen much of him. When I finally got to meet him and started to pet him, I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, you can’t even get your fingers through his hair,’” Cherry said. “It was knotted tight to his skin. I used to work at vet hospitals. I just wanted to help him out. At first, I tried to save the money myself but it just wasn’t happening, so I reached out to see if the community would help.” Cherry said Ranger’s owner was embarrassed that it had been so long since Ranger’s last haircut, but the man was excited and grateful for the community’s help. “I know he’s really excited to have him all fixed up,” said Cherry. Norris said she was happy for Ranger and his owner to have a new living situation. “You could tell that he really loves his dog a lot. He had very kind eyes and you could tell the dog is very well loved, so we’re excited to get him all cleaned up and have him look nice again,” said Norris. “Sometimes it’s really hard. I’m sure he wants to do the best for his dog. Maybe he can’t afford it right now. We were happy to help him out. Ranger was in dire need of a haircut.” Norris added, “This is our favorite type of transformation. He’s really going to look like a brand-new dog when we’re done with him.” Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected].