While walking through the streets of Jefferson County, Missouri, a couple of compassionate strangers were stunned when an unusual animal approached them.
The black creature had wrinkled, nearly hairless skin covered in painful scars and scabs. Upon a closer look, they realized it was a puppy in desperate need of help.
Understanding the urgency of the situation, the Good Samaritans contacted Stray Rescue of St. Louis for assistance.
A Mission to Save
Following their call, the rescue instructed the kind-hearted individuals to bring the pup to their facility for immediate care.
Without hesitation, a volunteer named Todd Whiteaker stepped up to help.
Initially, Todd worried the rescue might be difficult, fearing the scared pup would resist being handled.
However, to his surprise, the moment Todd opened his car door, the pup jumped right into the passenger seat, snuggling beside him.
“He immediately jumped over me in the driver’s seat and laid down next to me in the passenger’s seat,” Todd shared on Facebook.
A Difficult Diagnosis
Upon arrival at the rescue, the pup was promptly examined by veterinary staff.
Test results confirmed he was suffering from a severe case of scabies, a highly contagious mite infestation causing intense itching and skin irritation.
Due to the severity of his condition, the pup required antibiotics and soothing medicated baths.
The first bath was especially difficult, as the frightened puppy whimpered and howled.
“It broke our hearts, but we knew it would help him feel better,” shared Natalie Thomson, Chief Communications Officer at Stray Rescue of St. Louis.
Lycan’s Road to Recovery
The rescue team named the pup Lycan, inspired by the mythical werewolf, due to his initial appearance.
Since scabies is highly contagious, Lycan was placed in isolation for two weeks, receiving medical treatments and care.
Despite his rough start, Lycan showed a strong desire for affection.
“He loved being touched, but we had to wear gloves and gowns. When we did, he just leaned into us and melted at every touch,” Thomson recalled.
Healing and Transformation
After weeks of dedicated care, Lycan’s skin began to heal, and patches of his fur slowly started to grow back.
Once he was no longer contagious, the team knew he was ready to enter a foster home for further recovery.
“He’s gentle but craves love. He was the best patient, always trusting us and holding still, as if he knew we were helping him,” Thomson added.
Foster Dad to the Rescue
Todd, the rescuer who had first saved Lycan, kept in touch with his progress and didn’t hesitate to volunteer as his foster dad.
Todd began working on potty training and helping Lycan overcome his separation anxiety.
During their time together, Todd discovered Lycan’s adorable quirks—his love for sunbathing, car rides, and most of all, snuggling as close as possible to his foster dad.
A Stunning Transformation
As the weeks passed, Lycan’s fur grew back fully, revealing his true identity—a stunning blonde Husky with a thick, fluffy coat.
Now, three months after his rescue, Lycan has made a complete transformation from a scared, unrecognizable pup to a happy, healthy, and confident dog.
Searching for His Forever Home
Though Lycan has attended several adoption events, his forever family has yet to find him.
However, his rescuers remain hopeful.
“He will never know anything but unconditional love from this day forward. His days of sadness, isolation, and pain are over. He’s beautiful inside and out, no matter what,” the team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis shared.
Lycan’s journey proves that with patience, compassion, and proper care, even the most hopeless cases can have a happy ending.