Rosa was found almost lifeless by the side of the road in the Serra da Estrela mountains, with temperatures at –2°C. Freezing, starving, and severely dehydrated, she was rescued by a guardian angel who rushed her straight to the vet. Once warmed and offered food, Rosa ate eagerly—barely waiting for it to be placed in a bowl.

At just 6–7 weeks old, Rosa was also suffering from fur loss caused by mange. Thankfully, it was not the contagious type, and with prompt treatment her fur has already begun to grow back, although her skin will need a little more time to fully heal.

Rosa is expected to reach 15–17kg when fully grown. Despite her traumatic start in life, she is incredibly loving and resilient. She adores people, enjoys playing with other dogs, and has recently discovered how fun toys can be. She’s also content to sit and observe the world around her.

Rosa is currently in a foster home, where she received the intensive care she needed to recover. She is now healthy enough to be adopted and ready to flourish in a forever home. She is a happy, social girl who would benefit from continued training and guidance from a family with previous dog experience.

Rosa will be microchipped and vaccinated in the coming weeks now that she is back to good health.