The skinny stray dog melts in the rescuer’s arms as soon as he feels safe, creating a unique bond between them.
The team from Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) often helps dogs in tough situations, but meeting a certain pup recently touched their hearts in a new way.
One cold January day, they found a very skinny dog seeking shelter in someone’s yard. The poor pup looked weak and scared, huddled near the house. At first, he seemed unsure about the rescue team, but then he realized they were there to help him.
“He was just waiting for someone… anyone… to be kind to him and help him,” SRSL shared on Facebook.
Led by Donna Lochmann, the rescue team approached the dog with care, offering words of reassurance. As they drew closer, the dog responded by melting into their arms.
“When we reached out to him, he came right up to us, grateful that someone had finally stopped to help,” SRSL shared in a separate Facebook post.
While SRSL couldn’t determine how long the dog had been fending for himself, one thing was certain: the dog, later named Nico New Beginnings, possessed a gentle and loving nature. Despite his hardships, Nico was ready to embrace love and affection.
Lochmann showered the pup with cuddles and reassuring words before attempting to guide him back to her Jeep. The team expected to need a leash to coax him into the car, as they usually do with rescues. However, they were pleasantly surprised when Nico willingly hopped into the rescue Jeep without any hesitation.
“We didn’t even need a leash; he allowed us to pick him up and place him right into the rescue Jeep,” SRSL remarked.
Lochmann drove Nico to SRSL’s headquarters for an immediate medical evaluation. It was then they discovered his shockingly low weight of only 32 pounds — half of what it should have been.
Due to his severe malnutrition, Nico would require a carefully structured feeding schedule, but otherwise, he was healthy. He eagerly soaked up every ounce of affection from the team, quickly gaining a reputation for his love of cuddles.
“If you open his doors, he just leaps into your arms at lightning speed,” SRSL shared on Facebook. “He just can’t get close enough to us.”
The team closely monitored Nico at their headquarters until they deemed him healthy enough to transition to a foster home. Fortunately, a loving foster family quickly stepped forward to care for Nico, and he has been flourishing under their care ever since.
While Nico still has a journey of recovery ahead, he shows improvement with each passing day.
“In his foster home, he’s been steadily and safely gaining weight,” SRSL shared. “His foster mom says his favorite activity is giving kisses! He’s the sweetest angel boy!”
Today, Nico can be seen sporting one of many cozy sweaters in his foster home. His playful personality emerges more each day, and he is happier than ever.
While SRSL looks forward to finding Nico a permanent home once he reaches a healthy weight, they are overjoyed to witness him thrive in a warm, loving environment.
“This boy is truly special…” SRSL reflected.