Adorable Sick Stray Puppy Just Wants a Foster Home Full of Firsts

A one-year-old stray pup named Elisa arrived at Stray Rescue of St. Louis after another shelter realized they couldn’t provide the emergency care she desperately needed. Poor little Elisa had what looked like burns on the back of her head but it turned out to be mange. In her desperation, Elise scratched the area “absolutely raw.”

“It’s infected and so painful for her,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis explains in a post to Facebook. “We’ll get her on antibiotics, pain meds, medicated shampoo, and help her begin healing.”

Fragile and clearly in pain, Elisa is now getting the tender care she needs. The shelter writes, “We cut her long, curly nails, wrapped her up like a baby, and Dr. Ortiz comforted her and told her she’s going to be okay now.”

After just a few days of emergency medical care, Elisa is already showing signs of improvement and is enjoying being doted on. She’s even enjoying stroller rides as she regains her strength.

Dr. Ortiz determined that Elisa has a form of mange that is not contagious to other animals or humans. That means she’s ready to go into a medical foster home. She’ll need two medicated baths a week and daily eye drops, but, as the shelter notes, “the best news is she doesn’t mind either one!”

Stray Rescue has put out a call to its supporters, asking if anyone can open their home to Elisa. No medical experience is required.

“It just means you’ll give her medicated baths, eyedrops, and bring her in for check-ups! And of course, give her lots and lots of love while she’s on her healing journey,” they explain.

They also note that because Elisa is still so young, her foster family will get to be there for all of her “firsts.”

“[Y]ou can be the one to give her her first toys. Her first licks of the spoon in the kitchen. Her first couch, her first bed…,” they write.

To apply to foster Elisa visit Strayrescue.org/Foster. If you can’t foster at this time, consider making a donation to help Elisa and the dogs coming in to their shelter every single day. Strayrescue.org/1999