A few days before Christmas, the team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) received a distressing call. A Good Samaritan had discovered a St. Bernard confined in a crate inside an abandoned house, left with no food or water.

“We’re told he was found in a crate in the abandoned house, with nowhere to go …” SRSL wrote on Facebook.

A Shocking Discovery

Upon arrival, the rescue team was heartbroken to find the dog, later named Stu, severely underweight and covered in filth. Weighing only 43 pounds—less than half the healthy weight for his breed—Stu was in critical condition.

“An adult St. Bernard should weigh anywhere between 120 [and] 180 pounds,” SRSL noted. “Stu is just 43 pounds.”

The dedicated staff immediately began his recovery, gently cleaning him and providing warmth with blankets and affection. They initiated a strict feeding schedule to help him regain strength.

Healing in a Foster Home

Within a week, Stu was placed in a medical foster home, where he continued to heal. He found comfort in a custom-sized bed and began to show his affectionate nature, often seeking attention and cuddles from his caregivers.

“He is such a love bug,” SRSL shared on Facebook. “If you stop petting him, he nibbles on you until you give him more attention.”

Stu’s health improved dramatically, eventually doubling his weight. His playful spirit emerged, and he developed a fondness for his favorite ball.

“He has literally doubled his weight and is still gaining weight,” SRSL reported in a Facebook post.

A New Beginning

The culmination of Stu’s journey came when he was officially adopted by a loving family who couldn’t imagine life without him.

“[O]verall, he’s the most perfect angel,” Stu’s family wrote in a letter to SRSL, shared on Facebook.

The team at SRSL expressed their joy and bittersweet farewell:

“Time to heal in peace, sweet angel,” they wrote. “You deserve the whole, entire world.”