Every day, countless people walk past stray or abandoned dogs without stopping. But one kindhearted mailman in St. Louis proved how a single moment of compassion can make all the difference.
As he followed his regular delivery route, he spotted a dog who clearly needed help right away. Without hesitation, his instincts took over — he pulled the van over, hopped out, and hurried toward the dog to help.
A Compassionate Rescue
As he approached the dog, the mailman was met with the sweetest gaze, despite the swollen lump on her face. Though clearly in pain, the dog wagged her tail and greeted him with warmth and affection.
Despite her discomfort, she remained calm and cooperative, a clear sign that help had finally arrived.
He kept the dog safe in his van until rescuers from Stray Rescue of St. Louis arrived.
Despite the shelter’s overcrowding, they knew this pup couldn’t wait. She needed immediate medical attention.
Donna Lochmann, one of the shelter’s chief rescuers, met the mailman and took the dog into her care. They decided to name her Parcel, a tribute to the mailman who saved her.
A New Beginning For Parcel
“When we first saw Parcel, we thought she had a large, infected bite wound. But it actually appears to be Sialocele – aka a ruptured salivary duct that will most likely need to be removed via a specialty surgery,” the rescue shared on Instagram.
At the emergency clinic, vets drained the swelling, offering her some relief, but surgery remained her only long-term solution. The exact cause of the injury remained a mystery, though it could have been from an accident or a blow to her face.
“She’s so petite and so sweet. We’re thankful she’s here with us getting the help she needs,” the rescue shared.
After a week of recovery, Parcel was introduced to the shelter’s “Rovernights” program. This initiative allows families to open their homes to shelter dogs for a few days, helping the dogs adjust and giving potential adopters a chance to bond. For Parcel, this could lead to finding her forever home.
Social media users were quick to praise the mailman’s actions.
One commenter wrote, “Mailman went above and beyond! Thank you for your compassion and for keeping this precious pup safe. A true hero.”
Thanks to this kind-hearted mailman, Parcel now has a chance at the happy life she deserves.