Frodo the rescue dog's incredible transformation

Sorry state: Frodo, covered in mange and half-blind when he was rescued last May. Photo / Facebook/Klaudija Sigurnjak

They called him Frodo, presumably because what remained of his shaggy coat looked a little like the ringleted hair of Lord of the Rings character Frodo Baggins.

But for a while there, the tiny rescue dog looked more like the skinny, bald, gargoyle-like Gollum of the same movie franchise.

Starving, covered in mange, hairless except for matted tufts of ginger fur and all but blind, there seemed little hope for the little dog found wandering around Croatia last May.

Until he was given a chance at life by dog lover and rescuer Klaudija Sigunjak, news.com.au reported.

The starving dog had chunks of hair missing and infected skin. Photo / Facebook / Klaudija Sigurnjak

Vet care at last as the transformation begins. Photo / Facebook / Klaudija Sigurnjak

Eight months on, it's a classic transformation tale from beast to beauty, with his new owner Marko Dusparo, posting the ultimate before and after pictures of the now pampered pooch on Reddit this week.

The little dog's eyes were so inflamed when he was found that one of them was beyond saving. But vets saved the other eye, and Sigunjak did the rest, sharing his return to health on her Facebook page.

As his wounds healed, his mange retreated and his skin inflammation made way for a new coat, Frodo's confidence grew.

I'm back, baby: Slowly, Frodo got his strength back. Photo / Facebook / Klaudija Sigurnjak

The one-eyed dog caught the eye of Dusparo by accident, when he stumbled on a picture of Frodo, tongue out, midway into his recovery. He knew he and his wife had to have him.

More surgeries followed, until this week, Dusparo unveiled the "before and after" shots, which attracted more than 20,000 votes on Reddit.

Before: Frodo's "before and after" transformation shared by his new owner. Photo / Reddit/@markodus

After: Frodo's "before and after" transformation shared by his new owner. Photo / Reddit/@markodus

Frodo has now left the mean streets behind in exchange for daily cuddles, treats, a bed with Dusparo and his wife, daily runs with his master - and one eye on the camera.