While walking through the streets of Jefferson County, Missouri, two Good Samaritans were taken aback when a strange-looking animal approached them.
The dark figure had wrinkled skin, patches of missing fur, and was covered in painful scabs and scars. At first glance, he barely looked like a dog at all.
But after taking a closer look, they realized the truth: this fragile animal was actually a pup in desperate need of help. Wasting no time, they reached out to Stray Rescue of St. Louis to report what they had found.
On The Road To Safety
After speaking with the rescue, they were asked to bring the dog to the shelter so that he could finally receive proper medical care. A man named Todd Whiteaker volunteered to take on the task.
At first, Whiteaker feared it might be difficult to coax the pup into his car. But the dog surprised him completely.
“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.
What seemed like a daunting mission turned out to be the easiest rescue drive imaginable.
The Diagnosis
Once they arrived at the shelter, the veterinary team quickly performed a full exam. The results revealed that the pup was suffering from scabies, a highly contagious mite infestation that causes painful itching and inflammation.
“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, in an interview with The Dodo.
The staff named the dog Lycan, meaning “werewolf.” Since his condition was contagious, he was placed in isolation for two weeks. During that time, he received medication, soothing baths, and plenty of gentle affection from staff members.
“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.
Positive Outcome
Day by day, Lycan began to heal. His skin started to clear, and soon enough, patches of fur began to regrow. When he reached this milestone, the staff knew he was ready for the next chapter—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 said.
Whiteaker, who had rescued him from the streets, continued to follow Lycan’s progress and soon decided to foster him himself.
In his foster home, Lycan began learning the ropes of family life. Whiteaker worked with him on potty training and helped him manage separation anxiety.
He also discovered Lycan’s favorite hobbies—basking in the sunshine, going for car rides, and most of all, snuggling as close as possible to his foster dad.
As the weeks passed, Lycan’s transformation was astonishing. His once bare skin became covered in thick, soft fur, and his true identity was revealed—he was a gorgeous blond Husky.
Just three months after being rescued, Lycan was no longer unrecognizable. Instead, he was healthy, full of energy, and ready to embrace life as a happy pup.
Although Lycan attended several adoption events, his perfect family hadn’t come along just yet. But those who know him are certain it’s only a matter of time before he finds his forever home.
“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 wrote.
Lycan’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience, kindness, and the difference love can make. From a neglected “stone-like” pup to a stunning Husky, his journey proves that every dog deserves a second chance.