The day before Halloween, a chilling message reached the team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL).
A woman had discovered a tiny, emaciated puppy abandoned in a cardboard box. He barely looked alive — fragile, motionless and ice-cold.
But there was one small sign of hope.
“He’s still breathing,” the message read. And that was enough.
SRSL immediately said yes. When the puppy arrived, the team dropped everything to help him. Even after seeing photos, they weren’t prepared for just how critical his condition was.
“He was cold to the touch,” SRSL shared on Facebook. “So cold that we couldn’t even get a temperature reading.”
You can see footage of the dog in a box here:
The puppy, later named Renlo, was slipping away — and everyone knew it.
Without hesitation, staff and volunteers rushed into action, using every heat source they had to try to save him.
“We placed him on warm water, wrapped him in heated towels, used a heating pad, gave warm fluids and even held him close,” SRSL wrote. “Everything we could think of.”
But as night fell, Renlo’s temperature still wouldn’t stabilize. Fearing he wouldn’t make it through the night, the rescue made the urgent decision to transfer him to an overnight emergency care facility, where he could receive round-the-clock support.
“If he has a chance,” SRSL wrote, “it’s here.”
And somehow — he did.
Renlo survived the night and returned to SRSL the next day. Slowly, unbelievably, he began to improve. Just three days after being found in that box, the once-lifeless puppy stood up and took a few shaky steps on his own.
When he didn’t have the strength to walk, his caregivers were right there, supporting him every step of the way.
“He gets tired very fast,” SRSL shared. “So we take slow walks, sit in the sunshine, then head back inside for long, healing naps. He’s taking it day by day — and doing so well. What a brave, strong little boy.”
Less than a week after his rescue, Renlo got another life-changing gift: a medical foster home.
In a quiet, loving environment far from the noise of the shelter, he could finally rest.
“This is what healing really looks like,” SRSL wrote. “A warm lap, a calm home, and peace. He’ll heal faster here — physically and emotionally — than he ever could in a shelter.”
Renlo settled into foster care immediately, soaking up comfort and affection. Though still underweight, he’s thriving — proof of what love, patience and proper care can do.
SRSL hopes Renlo’s story also shines a light on how simple medical fostering can be.
“You don’t need medical training,” they shared. “Just a cozy home, the ability to follow feeding and care instructions, and the willingness to show love. We provide everything else.”
Today, Renlo spends his nights curled up in laps instead of cardboard boxes — growing stronger with each passing day.
“Since I went to foster,” SRSL wrote in Renlo’s voice, “I sleep every night in someone’s arms. I rest a lot. And every day, I heal a little more.”
In a few months, Renlo is expected to be fully healthy and ready for a forever family. Until then, he’s exactly where he belongs — safe, warm and loved.
To help dogs like Renlo, consider fostering, adopting or donating to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.
