A shelter puppy is on the road to recovery having survived an ordeal that left her in an alarming condition with a coat colored a distinctive shade of purple

When foster carer Brianna Magana from Houston, Texas, first introduced the world to Violet the puppy on social media, she did so alongside an important message aimed directly at her new pup friend: “welcome to the good life.”

It was exactly what was needed because, up until recently, there really hadn’t been much good in Violet’s life. Not much is known about Violet’s past. “Violet was found by Montgomery Animal Control so we are unaware of her past as she was just a stray,” Magana told Newsweek. “I saw the shelter post her on their Facebook stating she was a new intake who needed a foster and rescue.”

Magana fosters dogs through her local rescue This Is Houston, which stepped in to provide Violet with the urgent care she needed. Magana then came in to foster, but it was tough at first.

As Magana’s video about Violet, posted under the handle bristexastails, explained, the poor pup was in “terrible condition.”

“She was initially hospitalized by the rescue,” Magana said. “After they gave her fluids and decided she was stable I picked her up.”

Magana has fostered many dogs through her seven years with This Is Houston, but there was something a little more unusual about Violet than many of the dogs she has cared for: her coat.

“Her coat was purple,” Magana said. “Sometimes people put a substance on dogs that they think will help cuts and wounds that is typically used for livestock.”

The coloring hinted at a difficult past: one where Violet was treated more like cattle than a pet. But things are already changing and Magana is making good on that promise of giving Violet the “good life” she deserves.

She’s been placed on a strict feeding schedule and is getting the medication and specially medicated baths she needs to heal her body and skin.

In addition to all that, Violet is getting that one special thing a foster carer can provide over any shelter: attention. According to a 2018 study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science, just 15 minutes of one-on-one petting was enough to boost the overall well being of a shelter dog.

If that’s what 15 minutes does, you can only imagine the impact a foster stay has. Violet is certainly loving life with Magana, and has even got her own set of pajamas to help keep her warm while her coat continues to fully grow back.

Magana is pleased to report she has already seen a change in Violet. She said: “Violet has been settling nicely and really starting to open now! She comes to me for cuddles which is so sweet,” she said.

She’s also seen a change in Violet’s appearance. Her coat’s distinctive purple coloring is starting to fade. “Over the past few weeks it’s slowly started to come off during her medicated baths.” Magana said. “A few more baths and it’ll be completely gone!”

The plan is for Violet to be fostered until she is ready to be adopted. Magana already has a pretty good idea of what that adoption could look like. “Her perfect home would be a loving family who wants a little lap dog!” she said. “She is very friendly with children and other dogs and doesn’t bark much at all!”