When it comes to rescuing dogs, persistence is everything. No matter how challenging the situation may seem or how resistant an animal might be, true rescuers never give up.
This was exactly the mindset an Illinois rescue team had when they set out to help a dog in serious trouble. But this wasn’t your average rescue — this time, they were racing to save a pup with a purple cheeseball bucket stuck on his head. And it was far from easy!
He Hadn’t Eaten Or Drunk In Days
Alisha Vianello, director of Gateway Pet Guardians in East St. Louis, Illinois, began receiving multiple reports of a stray dog roaming the area — with a bucket lodged on his head. Alarmed by the situation, she and her rescue team jumped into action.
But rescuing him proved much more difficult than expected. It took days just to track him down.
“It took a few days to find him, and then once he was found, he kept running away and escaping capture,” Vianello stated on her Facebook.
The team tried everything — coaxing him gently, attempting to leash him, even setting up humane traps — but the dog was too frightened to let anyone near.
Knowing that the bucket had been stuck on his head for at least three days, the team became increasingly worried. He couldn’t eat, drink, or breathe properly, and time was quickly running out.
Realizing they needed a different approach, Dr. Kelsey, one of the volunteers, decided to use a tranquilizer dart with a mild sedative to slow the dog down just enough to safely catch him.
Moments later, the dog was finally leashed — and the purple bucket was removed right away.
The team breathed a collective sigh of relief. Not only was the dog finally safe, but they had gotten to him just in time.
He was taken to the shelter, where he received a full veterinary checkup, along with a much-needed meal and plenty of love. Thankfully, aside from the bucket ordeal, he was in good health.
The next step? Giving him a name. The team chose the most fitting one possible: Buckethead!
“Of course we had to name him Buckethead and he’s safe and recovering in our shelter,” Vianello concluded.
Once he was warm, fed, and out of danger, Buckethead began to show his true personality. It didn’t take long for his playful, affectionate nature to shine through.
He quickly became a shelter favorite, charming everyone with his sweet and snuggly demeanor.
The Most Lovable Face
Just a few days later, the team at GPG shared the sweetest update. They finally managed to snap a clear photo of Buckethead — and it revealed just how precious he truly was.
He wasn’t just lovable — he was stylish, too! Even though his backstory remained unclear and no one knew for sure if he had a previous home, one thing was obvious: his sweet personality matched his adorable looks perfectly.
He adored people, got along great with other dogs, and was clearly made for cuddles.
“Bucket Head’s true colors have shone through since we rescued him last week and he is the SWEETEST boy! He is super affectionate with everyone he meets, and loves to snuggle,” the Illinois rescue wrote.
Soon, once he finishes his stay in foster care, Buckethead will be ready for adoption and a brand-new forever home.
We can’t wait to see what the next chapter of his life holds!