In Jefferson County, Missouri, a couple of Good Samaritans were stunned when they encountered what they thought was a dog.

The animal was covered in scars and scabs, nearly hairless, and struggling with severe skin damage. His condition was so bad that it seemed his skin had turned to stone, a heartbreaking sight that spoke volumes about the pain he had endured. Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote.

Rescue Mission Begins

The Good Samaritans knew they had to help. They arranged for transport to Stray Rescue of St. Louis, and when Todd Whiteaker arrived, the dog didn’t hesitate for a moment. He immediately jumped over Whiteaker into the passenger seat and lay down as though he had found a place of comfort at last.

“He immediately jumped over me in the driver’s seat and laid down next to me in the passenger’s seat,” Whiteaker wrote on Facebook.

At the rescue, the dog was diagnosed with scabies, a highly contagious mite infection that caused extreme irritation and itching.

“Because the infection was so bad, he needed antibiotics and medicated baths,” Natalie Thomson, chief communications officer for Stray Rescue of St. Louis, told The Dodo. “He was so scared during his first bath that he cried out and howled. It broke our hearts, but we knew it would help him feel better.”

Lycan’s Transformation

The team named the dog Lycan, a nod to lycanthrope, or werewolf, due to his unusual appearance. While he was contagious, Lycan remained isolated for two weeks, but that didn’t stop him from yearning for affection. He craved love and attention, even though his rescuers had to wear gloves and gowns to keep him safe.

“He loved being touched, but we had to wear gloves and gowns. When we did, he just leaned into us and melted at every touch,” Thomson said.

As Lycan’s skin healed, it became clear that this pup was ready for the next step: foster care. Lycan’s gentle and trusting nature made him the perfect patient. “This guy has the sweetest personality,” Thomson said. “He’s gentle but craves love. He was the best patient, always trusting us and holding still for us, as if he knew we were helping him.”

A Bright New Future

After following Lycan’s recovery, Whiteaker, who had seen his transformation firsthand, stepped forward to foster him.

It didn’t take long for Whiteaker to discover that the once-bald dog adored sunbathing and loved going for car rides. But what Lycan loved most was snuggling up with his foster dad, bringing comfort and warmth into his new life.

Lycan’s fur grew back thick and fluffy, and the once-werewolf-looking dog revealed his true nature: a beautiful blonde husky.

Three months after his rescue, Lycan is a transformed dog. He’s attended several adoption events but has yet to find his perfect forever home. For Lycan, the right family is worth the wait, and both his rescuers and foster dad are determined to help him find it.

“He will never know anything else except for unconditional love from this day forward, and his days of sadness, isolation, and pain are nevermore,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote. “He’s beautiful inside and out, no matter what.”