While strolling through Jefferson County, Missouri, a couple of kind-hearted folks stumbled upon something truly unexpected.
They were approached by a peculiar creature that looked more like a stone statue than a living animal. This black figure had wrinkled skin and was almost completely hairless, with its body marred by painful scabs and scars.
It didn’t take long for them to realize that this was no ordinary sight—it was a puppy in desperate need of help.
A Call for Help
Recognizing the urgent situation, they quickly reached out to Stray Rescue of St. Louis. The team there was ready to assist and instructed them to bring the pup to their facility for immediate medical care.
Todd Whiteaker, one of the rescuers, took it upon himself to help the little guy. He was initially worried about how difficult it might be to catch the pup, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a breeze.
“He immediately jumped over me in the driver’s seat and laid down next to me in the passenger’s seat,” Whiteaker shared on Facebook.
Arrival at the Rescue Once they arrived at the rescue center, the staff wasted no time in giving the pup a thorough medical examination. The results revealed that he was suffering from scabies—a nasty condition caused by highly contagious mites that lead to severe itching and discomfort.
“Because the infection was so bad, he needed antibiotics and medicated baths. He was so scared during his first bath that he cried out and howled. It broke our hearts, but we knew it would help him feel better,” explained Natalie Thomson, chief communications officer for Stray Rescue of St. Louis.
The staff decided to name him Lycan, which means werewolf—a fitting name for such a resilient little creature. Due to his contagious condition, he had to stay in isolation for two weeks while receiving treatment and plenty of love.
“He loved being touched, but we had to wear gloves and gown up. When we did, he just leaned into us and melted at every touch,” Thomson recalled fondly.
Progress and Transformation
As days passed with proper care, Lycan began to show signs of improvement. His skin started healing, and soon enough, his fur began to grow back as well. With this positive change, Thomson felt confident that he could finally transition into foster care.
“This guy has the sweetest personality. He’s gentle but craves love,” she noted. “He was the best patient, always trusting us and holding still for us, as if he knew we were helping him.”
Whiteaker kept a close eye on Lycan’s recovery and soon decided to foster him himself. He dedicated time to potty training Lycan and addressing his separation anxiety. During this period, he discovered that Lycan had a passion for sunbathing and loved going on car rides.
But above all else, this pup adored snuggling up as close as possible to his foster dad.
The Big Reveal
As time went on, Lycan’s transformation became more apparent; his fur grew long and thick, revealing his true identity as a stunning blond husky!
Three months after being rescued from his dire situation, this once unrecognizable pup emerged as the happiest and healthiest dog around. Now all that was left was for him to find a forever family.
Despite attending numerous adoption events, Lycan hadn’t yet found his perfect match. However, everyone at the rescue remained optimistic about his future. “He will never know anything else except for unconditional love from this day forward and his days of sadness, isolation, and pain are nevermore,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis concluded with heartfelt assurance.
“He’s beautiful inside and out, no matter what.” Lycan’s journey from despair to hope is a testament to resilience and love—proof that every dog deserves a second chance at happiness.
