It was Halloween Eve when the team received a shocking message. A woman had found a puppy on the verge of death in a box. It seemed like he had just a few minutes left to live. He dog I was cold and seemingly lifeless.but along with the photo came a hopeful message. “Keep breathing,” they clarified.
The team of Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) quickly agreed to take in the puppy and activated emergency protocols as soon as the animal arrived. After seeing his photo, they knew that the little boy was in poor condition, but they were shocked to discover how fragile his painting was. “He was cold to the touch, so cold that we couldn’t take his temperature.”
Without hesitation, everyone got to work resuscitating the white-furred animal. “We heated it with all the heat sources we could: warm water under him, hot towels, a heating pad, hot liquids and a comforting hug…” wrote the volunteers of SRSL, a group that rescues abandoned, beaten, injured, terrified, defeated and betrayed animals.
“When an animal is hypothermic, it is advisable to place it in a closed place, where there are no drafts, near a stove, separated from the floor, on a mat or carpet. Cover it with blankets, place a hot water bottle – always wrapped in a towel to avoid burns on the chest – behind the elbow, preferably on the left side, since the heart is displaced to that side. You can also wrap the four limbs or legs with aluminum foil as a glove to reduce the loss of body heat and, in cases of severe hypothermia, intravenous infusion of warmed solutions is recommended,” explains Patricia Paredes, Veterinary Doctor on the Natural Life team.
Despite all his efforts, overnight, the team failed to maintain the dog’s temperature —whom they called Renlo—so they decided to transfer him to a night care center. There, Renlo could receive 24-hour care and hopefully regain body temperature. If I had a chance to get ahead, it was there.
Fortunately, Renlo survived the night and was able to return to SRSL to continue his treatment. Little by little it began to improveand just three days after his rescue, this resilient little dog was able to stand up and go for a short walk. Even when he didn’t have the strength to walk, his attentive nurses were there to care for his every need.
“He gets tired very quickly, so we go for leisurely walks and sit in the sun before returning for a long power nap. It’s getting better day by day and he is doing it very well. How brave and strong this little angel is!” they wrote from SRSL.
Definitely, Renlo had a long road to recovery aheadbut fortunately, he wouldn’t have to spend it all at the shelter. He soon found a foster home with medical care. And less than a week after being rescued, he already had a stable and safe place to rest and recover in peace.
“This is what a good, deep, relaxing rest looks like! You will recover much faster—both physically and emotionally—in someone’s arms than in our chaotic, noisy haven,” SRSL wrote on Facebook.
Renlo quickly adapted to his transit family and since then it continues to evolve favorably. Although he is still very underweight – you can still see every rib, his hips, and even his skull through the skin – being in a home with medical care has given him a second chance at life.
“We often ask for ‘hospitalization with medical care’. But the term can be misleading, since no medical knowledge is required, it’s just a matter of following the doctor’s orders (feeding instructions/physical limitations) and taking the animal for checkups. We provide everything else it needs,” shelter volunteers clarified.
Thanks to the dedicated team at SRSL and his new transit parents, Renlo is recovering quickly. In just a few months, he will be completely healthy and ready to find his forever home.. Until then, enjoy every moment with your loving family and the friends you have made.