When a Good Samaritan spotted a terrified dog curled behind a dumpster in a St. Louis, Missouri alley, they contacted Stray Rescue of St. Louis and asked for help.
Donna Lochmann and her team arrived without delay.
As soon as they reached the scene, they saw the pup, later named Joan of Bark, trying her best to disappear from view. She stayed silent, as if she had already accepted her fate.
Then Lochmann spoke softly. At the sound of her voice, Joan of Bark lifted her head. In her eyes was a mix of deep sadness and overwhelming fear.
Earning A Frightened Dog’s Trust
Lochmann sat nearby and offered Vienna sausages.
Still uneasy, the hungry pup ate the treat in a heartbeat.
After a few moments to let her settle, Lochmann gently slipped a leash over her neck.
Joan of Bark hesitated and did not move, so Lochmann waited and let her choose the pace. When the dog finally stood, the reason for her fear became clear.
One of her back legs appeared to be broken, and the team suspected she had been hit by a car.
They guided her into a crate and spoke to her with calming voices to let her know she was safe.
“She’s fearful and painful, but who wouldn’t be in her position. It’s ok baby, you are safe now! We got you,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis shared in a Facebook post.
At the clinic, veterinarians examined her and took X-rays of the injured limb.
The staff also gave her a warm, soothing bath. Joan of Bark leaned into the care, and her eyes showed gratitude for every gentle hand.
A Hard Decision That Opened The Door To Healing
The team tried to save the leg, but the injury had gone untreated for too long. Amputation became the only option to free her from pain.
The surgery went smoothly, and her recovery began.
Once stable, Joan of Bark returned to the shelter.
Now pain-free, she soaked up affection from her caregivers, who surrounded her with comfort and reassurance.
The sweet pup relished every cuddle and began to understand that people could be kind.
That steady love helped her believe a forever family might be waiting somewhere.
Life on three legs did not slow her spirit. She raced across the yard, tail high and eyes bright.
In time, the St. Louis rescue placed her with a foster family. She arrived shy, yet it did not take long before she relaxed in the safety of a real home.
Her fosters offered patience, routine, and gentle structure, and she responded with trust.
Joan of Bark also bonded with her canine foster sister. The two spent hours side by side, napping, exploring, and building confidence together.
She is still searching for a permanent home, and it is not yet known whether the perfect match has appeared. With her loving nature and brave heart, it feels likely that her dream will soon come true.