In Jefferson County, Missouri, a pair of Good Samaritans were shocked when they spotted what they thought was a dog approaching them.
The poor animal was nearly hairless, his body covered in scabs and scars. His skin was so severely infected it had hardened and cracked, looking almost like stone, Stray Rescue of St. Louis shared.
Determined to help, the kind strangers arranged for the pup to be transported to Stray Rescue of St. Louis. When rescuer Todd Whiteaker arrived and opened his car door, the little dog wasted no time — he jumped right in, curling up beside Todd in the passenger seat.
“He immediately jumped over me and laid down next to me,” Whiteaker shared on Facebook.
At the rescue, veterinarians quickly diagnosed the dog with scabies — a contagious skin condition caused by mites that leads to unbearable itching and painful sores.
“His infection was so advanced that he needed antibiotics and regular medicated baths,” said Natalie Thomson, Stray Rescue’s chief communications officer. “During his first bath, he cried and howled from fear. It absolutely broke our hearts, but we knew it was the beginning of his healing.”
Rescuers named him Lycan, short for lycanthrope — a nod to his “werewolf” appearance. Though Lycan had to remain isolated during his treatment, his need for affection never faded.
“He loved being touched,” Thomson said. “Even when we had to wear gloves and gowns, he would lean into us, soaking up every bit of attention he could get.”
Little by little, Lycan’s skin began to heal. After two weeks, he was ready to leave the clinic and move into foster care. Thomson knew Lycan would blossom with the one-on-one love he deserved.
“This guy has the sweetest soul,” she said. “He’s gentle, trusting, and just craved kindness.”
Having followed Lycan’s recovery from day one, Todd Whiteaker stepped up to foster him.
In Todd’s care, Lycan worked on potty training, overcame his separation anxiety, and discovered a love for sunbathing and car rides.
But what Lycan cherished most was snuggling as close as possible to his foster dad.
As Lycan healed, his fluffy blonde coat grew back, revealing not a werewolf, but a stunning husky mix. Three months after his rescue, Lycan hardly looks like the same dog.
Though he’s attended several adoption events, Lycan is still searching for his perfect forever family. But rescuers are confident that the right home is out there — and they’re committed to making sure Lycan gets the life he always deserved.
“He will only know unconditional love from now on,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote. “His days of sadness, isolation, and pain are behind him. He’s beautiful inside and out.”
