What was only one sentence would turn into full paragraphs: The winters in St. Louis, Missouri are extremely harsh, the temperature drops down into the single digits, and it really just sucks for outside animals.
That is where the dedicated people from Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) come into play. On those freezing January days, they scour the city for dogs in trouble.
On one such search, they stumbled into an unoccupied home. But even a bit more investigation revealed that a little life was abandoned, which actually required their urgent help.
Saved By The Bell
When SRSL rescuers arrived to an abandoned house during their search, they assumed it was merely an abandoned house. But they soon find out that one person was missing in the backyard.
An adorable little dog, as it turned out — and one who apparently was part of the family — had been left behind tied to a doghouse with frozen water.
A couple of weeks ago, temperatures were in the single digits. The cold wind howled and the cold hurt after being…
Posted by Stray Rescue of St. Louis on Monday 5 February 2024
He was sitting on the grass, all curled up, shaking from the cold. It howled with the cold, and after a few moments outside, the cold hurt. Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote on Facebook: The very fact that someone would be this callous makes our skin crawl.
Donna Lochmann, one of the kind-hearted SRSL rescuers, was very saddened to find such an unfortunate dog that was discarded.
One of the greatest mysteries of the world is maybe why someone decided you needed to walk around with that massive chain of sorrow. You’re free,” SRSL wrote.
The second the dog – which is nicknamed as Eskimo Joe – spotted the people who come towards him, he knew they were there to save him.
As they cut him free with bolt cutters, the dog ran up to Donna with his tail wagging and body rubbing up against her.
Eskimo Joe had been through so much, hanging on and fighting for life without food and water, but all of that was behind him now as he was en route to safety, courtesy of the wonderful people at SRSL.
Donna took him out and put him in her nice warm Jeep for his freedom ride.
Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote: ‘He rode in freedom and fell in love with the heated seats, staring at Donna.
At A Foster Home
After being freed, Eskimo Joe was introduced to the veterinary staff at the rescue, who performed a complete examination.
Unfortunately for him, he had heartworm; however, with some proper medication, he will be just fine.
Immediately, the rescue PROVED that li’EskimoJoe’ was a sweet and loving soul, earning himself a quickand the ideal foster home.
He is the gentlest spirit I know, his foster mom told SRSL. They all are crate & potty trained and enjoy walking. He is a very respectful boy, he sits for food/treats, enjoys a good scratch under the chin and has very quickly become a snuggly couch potato.
Look how different Eskimo Joe already looks from the day he was rescued after being found chained to the back of an abandoned house.
While he is still searching for his forever home, he is soaking up all the cuddles and love from his fabulous foster family.
He will get his family, I am sure of that.
He has a healthy curiosity of the world around him and will require a lot of time outside to be able to watch things quietly now that he no longer is on his chain What an amazing guy and he deserves only the best! Need his forever home now, he is so ready, said his foster dad.
If you would like to adopt Eskimo Joe or another dog at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, go here.
