As winter’s chill embraced St. Louis, Missouri, last December, the city’s residents found refuge indoors, seeking warmth. However, on one particularly bitter day, a sweet stray pup had no such option.

Desperate to escape the cold, the lonely dog found solace on a stranger’s doormat, where he curled up in a tight ball, seeking shelter from the harsh wind.

“He was curled up in a tight ball on someone’s porch, hiding from the wind,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) shared on Facebook.

Gasper’s Rescue and First Steps Toward Safety

A Good Samaritan quickly reached out to SRSL, and the rescue team responded without hesitation.

The rescuers immediately recognized that Gasper, as they would later name him, was gentle and easygoing. They were able to slip a leash over his head and coax him off the porch without difficulty.

But it wasn’t until they brought him to the shelter that his true sweetness became apparent.

“When we got him back to Stray Rescue, we discovered this very nice old man craves affection,” SRSL wrote.

A New Lease on Life: Gasper’s Journey to Healing

A thorough medical exam revealed that Gasper was around 8 years old. Though visibly tired from life on the streets, Gasper was full of gratitude for his second chance.

“Anytime we go spend time with this sweet guy, he does a big stretch and gets off his bed,” SRSL shared. “As we begin petting him, he slowly sinks to the floor. Then, he closes his eyes and just melts into the massage.”

After several days of love and attention, Gasper began to regain his energy. Soon, his playful puppy spirit emerged once again.

“He really enjoys it when you make kissy noises, and giant tennis balls are … the coolest thing he’s ever seen!” SRSL said. “He’s a leaner, too. He loves to lean into you when you give him pets.”

It’s been a few weeks since SRSL rescued Gasper, and they are still looking for a loving family to give him a home.

Sadly, Gasper has multiple skin tumors, and the shelter is searching for a hospice foster or adoptive family. However, SRSL believes that with the right family, Gasper could still enjoy many happy years.

“[H]e is considered a hospice foster, but he’s not on a time clock,” SRSL wrote. “He could have years left. He’s doing really well now that he’s safe and healthy, and we imagine he’ll continue to improve in a loving, [easygoing] home!”

Gasper may not have found his perfect match yet, but his SRSL family knows it’s out there. They eagerly await the day he finds the loving home he deserves. Until then, they continue to shower him with all the affection this resilient boy has to give.

“[H]e’s absolutely adorable!” SRSL shared on Facebook.