Days before Halloween last year, the folks at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) came across an eerie sight in their community. While driving through a residential neighborhood, they discovered a dark figure with a strange posture staring at them.
“He was hunched up like a little gargoyle …” SRSL wrote on Facebook.
At a glance, the curious animal could’ve been mistaken for a Halloween decoration — but the SRSL rescuers instantly knew he was a pup who needed help. They swiftly parked the car and began approaching the dog.
“[He was] the frowniest little guy,” SRSL wrote. “He was very scared and clearly had some pain.”
As scared as he was, the dog, later named Guillermo de la Cruz, was in too much pain to bolt. He stayed still as the rescue team, led by SRSL’s chief life saving officer, Donna Lochmann, got close enough to slip a leash around his neck.
Guillermo de la Cruz remained nervous as his rescuers led him to the car, but once they placed him on the seat, he settled in with a deep sigh of relief.
“[A]s soon as he realized he was safe in the car, he relaxed,” SRSL wrote. “You are safe, you big, sweet angel.”
The sweet boy arrived at SRSL’s headquarters later that day, where he received around-the-clock care for his wounds and low body weight. With consistent medicine and nonstop love from all of SRSL’s staff, Guillermo de la Cruz soon healed into the happy and thriving chunky pup he was always meant to be.
“Guillermo de la Cruz is a show-stopper wherever he goes!” SRSL wrote on Facebook. “This choco chonk of a baby doll boy has permanent puppy eyes and a record-breaking-sized noggin!”
Within two months of his rescue, Guillermo de la Cruz had undergone a stunning physical transformation. But the sweet boy didn’t just change on the outside — his fearful spirit healed, too.
“His heart is made of butter and melts for any doggo or person he meets,” SRSL wrote.
Finally, Guillermo de la Cruz was ready for adoption, and it wouldn’t be long before his perfect match came along. After enjoying some time in a wonderful foster home, Guillermo de la Cruz scored an amazing family, complete with parents and siblings who wanted nothing more than to love him.
“He now has two fur brothers (Jax [and] Flex), a fur sister (Lucy), and a mom and dad who are totally nuts about him,” SRSL wrote in a Facebook update.
More than half a year after his rescue, the frightened street dog is now a happy house pet, and his rescuers couldn’t be more thrilled.
“We are so happy he found his place!” SRSL wrote.
