Meet Stu: a dog who endured unimaginable suffering before finding hope. Here’s his journey.
Stu was rescued by Stray Rescue of St. Louis after being discovered in a crate, abandoned in a deserted home.
His previous family cruelly left him, forcing him to remain in his own waste for an unknown period.
This poor dog was in dire straits, emaciated and dehydrated, battling to survive.
Fighting for Survival
An adult St. Bernard typically weighs between 120 to 180 pounds, but unfortunately, Stu weighed only 43 pounds and was in a desperate state of malnutrition.
When the rescue team discovered him, he was not only severely malnourished and dehydrated but also too weak to lift his head and soaked in urine.
“Upon his arrival, we cleaned him up, brought his body temperature back to normal, hydrated him, and offered him a small meal. His body was urgently in need of calories and nutrients. The first night was tense – it was uncertain if he would survive,” stated Stray Rescue of St. Louis in their post.
His blood test results were chaotic, and all everyone could do was hope and pray for his survival that night.
Here’s what might have been his first meal at the shelter in a long time:
Stu turned out to be a fierce fighter, filled with remarkable resilience.
Not only did he survive the night, but he returned the next morning, greeting his rescuers with a wagging tail and affectionate kisses.
Remarkably, he even managed to stand and walk over to greet his caregivers, kindling hope for his recovery.
All he needed was proper nourishment, care, and, most importantly, love.
A New Beginning
As days went by, Stu exhibited signs of improvement, though the road to full recovery was still long ahead.
Despite the hardships he faced, he remained gentle and affectionate, endearing himself to the staff and volunteers as well as a global audience.
The immense support and love for Stu allowed the rescue team to quickly find him a wonderful foster home.
After just a few days at the clinic, Stu was able to leave and continue his treatment in a loving home where he could relax and stretch.
“This loving family has experience with St. Bernards and is eager to help him regain his strength. He went home with our front desk manager’s mother, ensuring that he remains within our community and will keep us updated on his road to recovery! He’ll be coming back for bi-weekly check-ups,” shared the St. Louis rescue.
Since moving to the foster home, Stu has already put on 20 pounds! Although he still has some tummy issues, he’s improving and eating well.
He has also discovered a passion for tennis balls. When he’s not resting, you can catch him happily gnawing on one!
Recent updates indicate that Stu is feeling significantly better. He still experiences some digestive issues and loves his naps but is steadily gaining energy.
“He is quite the affectionate companion! If you stop petting him, he gently nibbles at you to demand more attention. He is being spoiled like royalty and has taken on the demeanor of a lapdog! Stu, that’s perfectly fine for now, but once you’re back to a healthy weight, you might become a little too squishy for laps,” wrote the rescue organization on their page.
Stay updated on Stu’s progress by following Stray Rescue of St. Louis, the brave warrior!
