A few days before the holiday, a heartbreaking call came into Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL). A Good Samaritan had just discovered a St. Bernard left all alone in a vacant home—crammed in a crate, with no one coming back for him.
“We’re told he was found in a crate in the abandoned house, with nowhere to go…” SRSL shared in a Facebook post.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
The team rushed to take the dog in. They named him Stu—and their hearts sank when they saw him.
“An adult St. Bernard should weigh anywhere between 120 [and] 180 pounds,” SRSL wrote. “Stu is just 43 pounds.”
More than 80 pounds underweight, Stu was in critical condition. He was filthy, freezing, and barely hanging on.
But his rescuers weren’t about to give up on him.
Warmed With Blankets And Love
The shelter team gently cleaned him and wrapped him in layers of blankets. They gave him tiny meals on a strict schedule—slowly nursing his body back to strength.
Only days later, Stu moved into a medical foster home where he could heal in peace.
“He finds everything comfortable but especially loves this big, custom St. Bernard-sized bed!” SRSL wrote in a Facebook update. “He met the resident dogs and liked them a lot!”
Most of the time, he slept, ate, and soaked in every bit of love.
A Love Bug Emerges
As his weight climbed, his sweet personality blossomed. He started playing with his ball and demanded cuddles whenever the petting stopped.
“He is such a love bug,” SRSL shared in a Facebook post. “He thinks he’s a lap dog!”
Before long, he doubled his weight—surpassing every goal the rescue had set for him.
“He has literally doubled his weight and is still gaining,” they wrote in another update.
Finally Home For Good
Earlier this month, Stu got the best news yet—he was officially adopted by a loving family who now can’t imagine life without him.
“[O]verall, he’s the most perfect angel,” Stu’s new family wrote in a letter to SRSL.
His rescue friends miss his goofy charm and big hugs—but they’re thrilled knowing he’s exactly where he belongs.
“Time to heal in peace, sweet angel,” SRSL wrote. “You deserve the whole, entire world.”