Woman Returns Home to Find Beloved Dog Shaved Without Permission, Sparking Online Debate

2 days ago 6

A woman who left her dogs in the care of her mother-in-law while attending a week-long camp returned home to a sight that left her speechless. Sarah, 28, and her husband had traveled to Hume Lake Christian Camps in California, leaving their two dogs, Shadow and Bear, in the trusted hands of family. With no cell service at camp, the couple was unaware of what was unfolding back home.

When they pulled into the driveway of their Utah home on June 28, Sarah immediately noticed something was wrong. Her beloved Australian shepherd, Bear, had been completely shaved.

Sarah was stunned. Bear, only three years old, had lost his full brown coat—something Sarah says was never discussed or authorized. She felt violated, confused, and deeply upset. “As a double-coated Australian shepherd, it’s harmful to shave his body,” she said. “His fur protects him from both cold and heat.”

Her mother-in-law, who had volunteered to look after the dogs, explained that she started shaving around Bear’s hindquarters for hygiene reasons, but when the fur looked uneven, she decided to “just even it out.” Sarah was baffled by that logic, especially since the mother-in-law had previously seen Sarah trim only the fur behind Bear’s legs—never the full coat.

Shadow, their Belgian Malinois, remained untouched, as did her mother-in-law’s own shepherd mix, both of which are short-haired breeds. Sarah suspects Bear was singled out due to his long coat.

While physically unharmed, Bear now faces a long recovery for his coat, and Sarah is left to deal with the emotional aftermath. Shaving a double-coated dog can permanently affect the texture and growth of its fur, sometimes leaving patchy regrowth or sun sensitivity. The American Kennel Club warns against this practice due to the long-term effects.

Despite her disappointment, Sarah has chosen to forgive. “I can’t change her actions, and I don’t think there was malicious intent,” she said. “But it doesn’t mean I’ll forget.”

Sarah shared her reaction in a TikTok video that has since gone viral, amassing over 2.6 million views. In the clip, she films her response and shows Bear’s trimmed coat while explaining that she never imagined needing to say, “Don’t shave the dog.” The video has sparked a wave of support and shock from users, many defending Sarah while questioning the judgment behind the decision.