Just days before Christmas, the team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) received a heartbreaking call: a Good Samaritan had found a St. Bernard left behind in a deserted home — alone, locked in a crate, and barely clinging to life.
“He had nowhere to go,” SRSL shared. “Just left behind like he didn’t matter.”
When rescuers arrived and laid eyes on the dog, whom they named Stu, their hearts sank. A healthy adult St. Bernard should weigh between 120 and 180 pounds — Stu weighed only 43.
Freezing, starved, and covered in grime, Stu was in critical condition. But from the moment he arrived at the shelter, he was surrounded by warmth — blankets, gentle hands, and the kind of compassion he hadn’t known in a long time.
The staff began nursing Stu back to health, feeding him carefully on a strict schedule and slowly restoring his strength. He responded with gratitude — quietly soaking up the attention, resting his tired body, and beginning to heal.
Just a few days later, Stu was well enough to move into a medical foster home, where he could continue his recovery in comfort. It was there that Stu’s true personality began to shine.
“He loves his giant, custom St. Bernard-sized bed,” SRSL wrote in an update. “He’s gentle, goofy, and happiest when surrounded by love.”
Stu adored his new canine companions and quickly became a favorite in the house. His sweet nature only grew as his body healed — especially when it came to cuddles.
“If you stop petting him, he’ll gently nibble your hand like, ‘Hey, I wasn’t done yet,’” SRSL joked. “He’s convinced he’s a lap dog.”
One of Stu’s favorite pastimes became playing with his beloved ball. And as the weeks went by, he reached — and then surpassed — his original weight goal.
Stu had doubled in size since the day he was rescued, and his once-hopeless eyes now sparkled with life.
And then came the best news of all: Stu found his forever family.
He was adopted by a loving home that saw his gentle soul and couldn’t imagine life without him.
“He’s the most perfect angel,” his new family wrote to SRSL.
While the shelter team misses his warm presence, they’re overjoyed to see Stu living the life he was always meant to have — safe, cherished, and finally home.
“Time to heal in peace, sweet angel,” SRSL wrote. “You deserve the whole, entire world.”
To support more animals like Stu on their journey to healing, you can donate to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.
