If dogs celebrate Christmas, this will be a special Christmas for one German shepherd named Sasha.
“She's only four or five; she's just in rough shape," said Eva Zeihl, with the German Shepherd Rescue group.
Sasha, a 5-year-old energetic German shepherd, which by all appearances is living in puppy heaven, escaped canine hell.
Sasha made headlines in Orangeburg, South Carolina when a concerned neighbor captured video of Sasha's previous owner abusing Sasha and two other German Shepherds.
The video is hard to watch.
"She was beaten by her previous owner, probably her entire life, and I'm talking about beaten by objects, sticks and pipes and bats," said Zeihl, whose parents are now Sasha's foster parents.
The video was turned over to Orangeburg County deputies by the anonymous neighbor. The owner was arrested and charged with animal abuse and torture.
Sasha and two other dogs were eventually turned over to a shelter, who in turn, turned the abused dogs over to the German Shepherd Rescue group.
Now Sasha has a temporary home, living indoors, unlike her previous home under a van.
"I don't think she ever had a Christmas. I think this will be her first one," said Zeihl.
Sasha's emotional wounds seemed to have healed, but she has broken teeth from the beatings, and she’s undergoing treatment for stage three heartworm disease.
But, she's living a world away from the daily torture she had to endure.
"She never got any love, never had any toys, treats, no affection at all," said Zeihl.
All that has changed for Sasha. She has plenty of affection from visitors and countless toys, with more to come under the Christmas tree Friday morning.
Sasha's foster parents say anyone wishing to adopt Sasha will have to undergo strict scrutiny and cannot take Sasha out of Florida.
Anyone wishing to donate to Sasha's medical care can go to a YouCaring page set up for her.
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