Winters in St. Louis, Missouri are extremely harsh, with temperatures dropping into the single digits, making conditions extremely frightening for homeless animals.
That’s where the professional team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) comes in. They tirelessly scour the city looking for dogs in distress, especially on cold days in January.
During their search, they found an abandoned house. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that a small soul was left behind that needed immediate help.
Saved by Bell
dog chained behind the house
When the SRSL rescue team arrived at an abandoned house during their search, it was what they expected – an abandoned house. However, they soon realized that the spirit remained in the garden.
Incredibly, the adorable dog that was once part of the family was left chained in a kennel filled with freezing water. He huddled on the grass, shivering from the bad weather. “When I stepped outside for a while, the cold wind howled and I felt a pain in the cold. The callousness of this act alone gives us chills,” St. Stray Rescue wrote on Facebook. Lewis.
Donna Lochman, one of SRSL’s kind-hearted rescuers, was heartbroken to see this poor dog abandoned like this.
“Why someone felt you deserved to suffer with that huge chain is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. You’re free,” SRSL wrote.
The moment the dog – affectionately named Eskimo Joe – saw the people approaching him, he knew that they were there to rescue him.
He greeted Donna with a wagging tail and pressed his body against her as they used bolt cutters to set him free.
Eskimo Joe had suffered a lot, clinging desperately to life without water and food, but all that hardship was finally in the past because he was on his way to a secure haven, thanks to the compassionate efforts of SRSL.
Donna scooped him up and placed him in her warm Jeep for his freedom ride.
“He stared at Donna during his freedom ride and loved the heated seats,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote.
At A Foster Home
Following his liberating journey, Eskimo Joe met the veterinary team from the rescue, who conducted a comprehensive checkup.
Unfortunately, he tested positive for heartworm, but the good news is that it’s a condition easily treatable with the right medication.The rescue quickly noticed that Eskimo Joe was nothing but a kind and gentle soul, which resulted in him swiftly finding the perfect foster home.
His foster mom told SRSL, “He is the most gentle soul I have ever met. He is crate trained, potty trained, and loves to go for walks. He is a polite boy, he sits for food/treats, loves a good chin scratch, and has quickly become a cuddly couch buddy.”
Eskimo Joe already looks completely different from when he was found chained behind the abandoned house.
Although he’s still looking for a forever home, he’s enjoying all the cuddles and love he gets from his wonderful foster family.
I’m sure that he’ll find his family soon.
“He is genuinely curious of the world around him and will need walks/time outside to quietly observe now that he’s free from his chain. This guy is as sweet as can be and deserves nothing but the best! Let’s find his forever home, he’s so ready,” said his foster mom.
If you are interested in adopting Eskimo Joe or another dog at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, visit here.
