A puppy named Honey was anything but sweet when she was first brought into a Sussex, England veterinary office.

At just a few months old, she had been neglected to the point of near-death. Her mange-infested body was nearly hairless and her irritated and painful skin made her miserable.

Her little body is hard to take in – but the good news is that after some love and care, she’s now the beautiful, healthy puppy she was born to be.

When Honey first arrived at the animal hospital, vet tech Jessie DeFreitas of Crawley, West Sussex immediately fell in love with her. She could see past the ragged coat and nasty demeanor and into Honey’s deep, soulful eyes.

Luckily, the vet convinced Honey’s owners to surrender her completely. It’s clear they were not capable of taking care of her. DeFreitas said it’s unlikely she would have made it had she gone back home with them.

Mange – a disease caused by parasitic mites – was eating her alive and she required constant care to prevent an increasingly miserable existence.

“These dogs appear to be beyond hope — hairless, with skin covered in sores or with thickened, hard, crusty patches,” says the American Kennel Club says about dogs with mange.

DeFreitas decided she was up to the task of caring for the puppy and offered to foster Honey.

“She needed constant care. I asked to foster the dog,” said the 21-year-old. “My mum asked if I was sure because we already have four cats and another rescue dog at home. But everyone knows I love animals. At the vet’s I’m constantly asking about people’s pets.”

Clearly, the vet tech’s mom deserves some credit as well for adding an ill (and ill-tempered) puppy to the family’s menagerie!

DeFreitas’ mother insisted on just one thing – that they change her name. Honey was a biter and terrorized her new housemates. She got a more fitting moniker as a result.

“When we first brought her home, she was a playful biter. Her original name, Honey, didn’t fit her at all,” DeFreitas told SWNS News. “To me, Honey is sweet and she is not. My mum named her Terra with an ‘a’ because it fit her better – she can be a little terror.”

Terra (the “terror”) was finally in good hands. Not only did she change on the outside once she got some love and care, but her whole demeanor changed as well (though they’re keeping the new name).

Just look at Terra 3-months later, the sweet and fluffy little puppy DeFreitas knew she could be:

“She’s recovered really well. You can see it in her eyes – she’s become happier and happier,” she said. “She’s amazing. She’s just the kindest and sweetest thing.”

It’s hard to believe this is the dog from the first photo!

Honey/Terra’s story quickly went viral not only because of the generosity of her caretakers but her incredible recovery and transformation into a snuggly little sweetheart.

What can we say, people love a happy ending when it involves a cute puppy!

While we wish Honey/Terra had been able to skip the bad times, her case is a good lesson in how much of a role upbringing plays in an animal’s demeanor.

Be sure to remember all the needy – and redeemable – animals out there next time you decide to adopt a pet!

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Source: Metro, Fox 7 News, real fix via Facebook