It started as just another morning for Donna Lochmann, a dedicated rescuer with Stray Rescue of St. Louis in Missouri. She had a new mission on her schedule, the kind filled with risks around every corner, but also one she approached with her usual determination and compassion.
“A dog awaits and needs our help!” Donna said after receiving an urgent call for medical intervention.
Her colleague, Natalie Thompson, quickly hopped into the passenger seat, fueled by the same passion to save another life.
Neither of them knew that their day was about to take an unexpected turn.
An Unexpected Change Of Plans
As Donna drove toward their destination, Natalie suddenly called out for her to slow down.
“I just saw something small and brown on a side street,” Donna told Natalie. “It might be another dog that needs our help.”
And she was right — a puppy was there. Natalie confirmed what Donna saw, but they decided to focus on their first mission before circling back.
The medical rescue went quickly and smoothly, and with that complete, they set off to find the mysterious little pup.
A Blanket Full Of Emotions
When they returned to the spot, the puppy was gone.
“I was devastated at that moment,” Natalie later admitted. But she didn’t give up. Trusting her instincts, she scanned the alleyways until she spotted movement. There — a skinny, frightened dog darted into an abandoned multi-story building.
The building was dark, unstable, and unsettling, but Natalie knew she couldn’t let fear stop her. Climbing the shaky stairs, she reached the second floor — and what she saw brought tears to her eyes.
There, curled in a filthy old blanket, was the little dog, trying desperately to stay warm in the freezing, crumbling space she called home.
A Proud Moment For Every Rescuer
Natalie immediately reached for her slip lead — only to realize she didn’t have it.
“I only had one slip lead with me, and it was on the dog in the Jeep,” Donna said.
Rushing back for it, Natalie feared she might lose the pup. Sure enough, when she returned, the blanket was empty. But then she noticed a door leading outside. Following her instincts again, she spotted the dog sitting in an open field nearby.
Not wanting to scare her, Natalie crouched low and pulled out Vienna sausages — and just like that, she earned the pup’s trust.
She named her “Dodie,” charmed by her delicate doll-like face. Gently, Natalie slipped the leash around her and guided her to the Jeep.
“In general, this is one of the hardest parts of any mission because some dogs are so scared. But Dodie was truly one of a kind,” Natalie shared.
A New Life Wrapped In Love
Back at the vet, Dodie handled every test bravely. Despite being underweight, her health was better than expected.
Her rescuers put her on a special feeding plan with small meals throughout the day to help her regain strength.
Now safe in a loving foster home, Dodie spends her days wrapped in real warmth — not a dirty old blanket, but one filled with comfort, love, and security.
Her foster mom Nicolina, along with volunteers from the rescue, shower her with the care she’s always deserved.
