Sick Rescue Dog's Quirky Personality Proves You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover

Far too often, shelters house a glut of sick, sad-looking animals who get overlooked for the healthier, more lively pets. Sometimes, all an unhealthy animal needs is some medical attention and a little bit of TLC to transform into a sweet and rambunctious goofball. Penelope is one such dog.

In a GeoBeats Animals video on YouTube that's been viewed more than 382,000 times, Penelope starts out sickly and shy, confused by the outdoors, unsteady on her feet, and with an overgrowth of keratin on her paw pads that her owner suggested could be due to living in a crate. Penelope also had a scar on her leg. After Brittany DeVan fostered and then adopted Penelope, the dog became happy and playful, delighted to race around the yard, play with toys, get cuddles, and snooze on the couch.

DeVan explained in the video voiceover, "She really relied on the other dogs that we had at the time to learn and understand what it was like to be in a house and be around people." One viewer commented on Penelope's transformation: "I'm not sure I've ever seen a dog as joyful and happy as this dog, what a lust for life." Another wrote, "I am SO GLAD that you foster failed with this adorable little nugget with her spins and zoomies and dinosaur noises! She is perfect and you have given her a beautiful life full of love and all the fun she can handle!"

If you're ready to adopt a dog and are considering opening your home and your heart to an unhealthy or abused animal, there are some points to remember. Transformation doesn't happen overnight. Patience is required as you wait for the dog to heal from physical injuries and emotional trauma. An abused dog might not know how to play, walk on a leash, or trust humans. Socialization and potty training may be required.

Adopting such a dog can be expensive. Ongoing veterinary care may be needed, along with medication, a special diet, and consultations with trainers and behaviorists. However, the emotional rewards of welcoming an unwanted animal into your life can be enormous. "Penelope really has taught not only myself but others that you really can't judge a book by its cover, because she was looked over by so many rescues and so many people because of how sick she was, and nobody wanted her, and she got all fixed up," Brittany DeVan shared. Another viewer commented, "Most 'broken' dogs are fixable — it just takes love and time. So many bully breeds are abused, used for breeding, neglected, and then thrown away. The people who adopt bullies really are angels on earth."

For anyone who's curious what type of dog Penelope is, DeVan shared in an Instagram video the precious pooch's DNA test results: 47.9% American bully, 47.1% English bulldog, and 5% French bulldog. We'd argue Penelope is 100% lovable goofball.