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In Jefferson County, Missouri, a couple of Good Samaritans gasped when they were approached by what appeared to be a dog. The wrinkly animal was nearly hairless and covered head to tail in scars and scabs. It was clear he was suffering from an infection, “rendering his skin into something that resembles stone,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote.
The Good Samaritans made it their mission to help and arranged transport to Stray Rescue of St. Louis. When Todd Whiteaker arrived and opened his car door to the pup, the dog didn’t hesitate.
“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, a test confirmed that the dog was suffering from scabies — a type of highly contagious mite that causes constant itching and irritation.
“Because the infection was so bad, he needed antibiotics and medicated baths,” Natalie Thomson, chief communications officer for Stray Rescue of St. Louis, told The Dodo. “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.”
Rescuers named the unusual-looking dog Lycan, an abbreviation of lycanthrope, or werewolf. Lycan remained isolated for two weeks while he was contagious and receiving treatment, but that didn’t stop him from demanding the affection he’d so clearly missed.
“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.
Finally, Lycan’s skin began to heal, and he was deemed ready to leave the clinic and enter foster care. Thomson knew he’d thrive in a home where he’d get one-on-one love and attention. “This guy has the sweetest personality,” Thomson said. “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.”
Whiteaker had followed Lycan’s transformation since dropping him at the rescue and stepped forward to foster.
While Lycan worked on potty training and getting over some separation anxiety, Whiteaker discovered that the once-bald dog loved sunbathing and going for car rides. But, most of all, Lycan loves to snuggle up as close as he can to his foster dad.
Lycan’s fur grew in thick and fluffy, revealing that he was no werewolf — but a blonde husky.
Three months after his rescue, Lycan looks and acts like a whole new dog. He’s attended several adoption events but has yet to meet his perfect forever family. For Lycan, the right match is worth the wait — and his rescue and foster dad are going to make sure he finds it.
“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 wrote. “He’s beautiful inside and out, no matter what.”
