While a couple of Good Samaritans were walking the streets of Jefferson County, Missouri, they were left completely shocked when they were approached by a strange animal.
The black animal had wrinkly skin and appeared to be nearly hairless. His body was also covered in painful scabs and scars.
After having a closer look, they realized that it was actually a pup. It was clear to the hoomans that he needed immediate medical attention so they contacted the kind hoomans at Stray Rescue of St. Louis and informed them of the situation.
Everything Will Be Just Fine
After chatting with the rescue organization, they were instructed to bring the pup to their facilities so that they could finally provide him with the help he needed. And, a man named Todd Whiteaker made it his mission to do exactly that!
However, he began to worry that catching the pup and getting him in his car would prove to be difficult. Little did he know, it was going to be the easiest thing in the whole world.
“He immediately jumped over me in the driver’s seat and laid down next to me in the passenger’s seat,” Whiteaker wrote on Facebook.
At The Rescue
The second the duo arrived at the St. Louis rescue, the pup was taken in for a thorough medical examination. When the test results came back, they confirmed that the dog was suffering from scabies.
They are a type of highly contagious mite that causes extreme itchiness and irritation.
“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,” Natalie Thomson, chief communications officer for Stray Rescue of St. Louis, told The Dodo.
Naming the pup Lycan, which essentially meant werewolf, the staff members put him in isolation for two whole weeks since his condition was contagious. During that time, he received all the medical treatments he needed as well as some love and attention.
“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 said.
Happily Ever After
After days of treatment, Lycan’s skin started showing signs of improvement. His skin began to heal and even his fur started growing back. With such a milestone, Thomson knew that he could finally go into foster care.
“This guy has the sweetest personality. He’s gentle but craves love. He was the best patient, always trusting us and holding still for us, as if he knew we were helping him,” Thomson added.
His rescuer, Whiteaker, kept up with the progress of the little pouch and, without any hesitations, stepped in to foster him.
He began potty training Lycan as well as working with him on his separation anxiety. During that time, Whiteaker discovered that this sweet pup absolutely loved to sunbathe and go for car rides.
But, his favorite thing in the whole wide world was snuggling up as close to his foster dad as possible.
As time went by, Lycan’s fur grew long and thick, revealing his true identity. He is a beautiful, blond husky!
Three months after being rescued, this once unrecognizable pup is now the happiest, healthiest pup ever. His next new mission is to find a loving family. And, even though he attended several adoption events, Lycan still hasn’t found a perfect match.
But, every single one of his two-legged friends is sure that he will find one in no time!
“He will never know anything else except for unconditional love from this day forward and his days of sadness, isolation, and pain are nevermore. He’s beautiful inside and out, no matter what,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis concluded.