It was the day before Halloween when rescuers at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) received a chilling message that would change one little life forever. A woman had found a tiny, emaciated puppy abandoned in a cardboard box, barely clinging to life. He was so cold to the touch that she feared the worst — but thankfully, hope was still alive.
“He’s still breathing,” SRSL shared in a Facebook update. “We’re ready for him.”
💔 Found Freezing and Lifeless in a Box
When SRSL’s rescue team rushed to save the puppy, they were heartbroken by what they found. The frail little dog, later named Renlo, was so cold that even a thermometer couldn’t read his temperature.
“This little pup [is] cold to the touch,” SRSL wrote. “He’s so cold we weren’t able to get his temperature to read.”
The rescuers immediately sprang into action, surrounding him with every heat source they could find — warm towels, heating pads, warm fluids, and even a ‘bear hugger’ blanket used in medical emergencies. Every second mattered.
❤️ Fighting for Life
Despite their best efforts, Renlo’s body temperature wouldn’t stabilize. Fearing he might not make it through the night, the SRSL team transferred him to an overnight emergency care facility for round-the-clock monitoring.
“Their amazing team all jumped into action so fast,” SRSL said. “If he has a chance, it’s here.”
And that chance paid off. Against all odds, Renlo survived the night — and by the next morning, he showed signs of improvement.
🌤️ A Tiny Step Toward Recovery
Back in SRSL’s care, Renlo slowly began to heal. Just three days after his rescue, the brave little pup stood on his feet for a short walk. His nurses watched in awe as he took each wobbly step.
“He gets exhausted really fast, so we just go on slow walks and sit in the sun before heading back for a long, healing nap,” SRSL wrote. “He’s taking it day by day — what a brave, strong angel boy.”
🏡 Finding Peace in a Loving Foster Home
Less than a week after being rescued, Renlo found a medical foster home, where he could finally rest in comfort. For the first time in his life, he slept on a soft bed — safe, warm, and loved.
“THIS is what good, solid, relaxing rest looks like!” SRSL wrote. “He’s going to heal so much faster — both physically and emotionally — in someone’s arms than he would in our noisy shelter.”
Renlo quickly bonded with his foster family, who showered him with affection and care. Though still underweight, he’s made incredible progress and continues to grow stronger every day.
SRSL also reminded the public that anyone can be a medical foster, even without medical experience:
“All you need to do is follow the doctor’s instructions for feeding and exercise — we provide everything else,” the rescue explained.
💕 From Near Death to New Beginnings
Today, Renlo is a symbol of resilience and love. Thanks to SRSL’s tireless team and his devoted foster parents, he’s expected to make a full recovery in just a few months. Soon, he’ll be ready to find his forever home — but until then, he’s relishing every cuddle and nap in his foster family’s arms.
In a heartwarming update written “in Renlo’s voice,” SRSL shared:
“Since I left for foster, I spend every night in a lap. I sleep all the time and I am healing a little bit more every day.”
Renlo’s journey from near death to hope reminds us that every life is worth saving, and every act of kindness can create a miracle.
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