As winter took hold of St. Louis, Missouri, in December of last year, inhabitants sought refuge indoors from the biting cold. Yet, on a bitterly frigid day, a friendly stray dog found itself with no shelter.
Seeking warmth and respite from the freezing ground, the forlorn pup nestled onto the welcoming embrace of a stranger’s doormat.
“He was curled up in a tight ball on someone’s porch, hiding from the wind,” recounted Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) on Facebook.
Fortunately, a kind-hearted individual reached out to SRSL upon spotting him, prompting an immediate response from the rescue team.
Upon arrival, the seasoned rescuers recognized Gasper’s friendly demeanor right from the start. They effortlessly secured a leash around his neck and gently persuaded him off the porch.
It wasn’t until they arrived at the shelter that they truly understood his gentle nature.
“When we got him back to Stray Rescue, we discovered this very nice old man craves affection,” SRSL reported.
Following a comprehensive medical assessment, SRSL’s veterinary experts estimated Gasper’s age to be approximately 8 years old. Despite displaying signs of fatigue from his time outdoors, Gasper expressed profound gratitude for his continued existence.
“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 receiving kisses and massages for a few days, Gasper started to brighten up once more. Before long, the senior pup’s playful nature began to emerge.
“He really enjoys when you make kissy noises, and giant tennis balls are … the coolest thing he’s ever seen!” SRSL exclaimed. “He’s a leaner, too. He loves to lean into you when you give him pets.”
t’s been a few weeks since SRSL rescued Gasper, and they’re still on the hunt for a caring family to welcome him into their home.
Gasper unfortunately bears multiple skin tumors, prompting the shelter to seek a hospice foster or adoptive family. However, SRSL remains optimistic that with the right environment, Gasper can still relish in quality time.
“[H]e is considered a hospice foster, but he’s not on a time clock,” SRSL explained. “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 is still searching for his ideal companion, but his pals at SRSL are confident they’ll find the perfect match for him. They eagerly anticipate the day when Gasper will be in the loving home he truly deserves. In the meantime, they’re cherishing every moment of affection from this resilient boy.
“[H]e’s absolutely adorable!” exclaimed SRSL on Facebook.