In St. Louis, Missouri, many stray animals face dangerous and uncertain conditions every day.
That’s where the devoted team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) steps in. They tirelessly patrol neighborhoods, searching for dogs in need and offering help to those who have been left behind.
During one of their rounds, they came across an abandoned house. Upon closer inspection, they discovered a little soul trapped in the backyard, in desperate need of immediate care and compassion.
A Pup Left Alone In Distress
During one of their routine searches in St. Louis, Missouri, the team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) came across an abandoned property. What they found in the backyard shocked them.
A small dog, clearly once part of a family, had been left chained to a doghouse with limited access to water and food. He was curled up on the grass, weary and unsure of what was happening around him.
“The callousness of this act alone gives us chills,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote on Facebook.
Donna Lochmann, one of the SRSL rescuers, was heartbroken seeing this pup trapped in such a situation.
“Why someone felt you deserved to suffer with that huge chain is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. You’re free,” SRSL wrote.
The moment Eskimo Joe spotted the rescuers, he recognized that help had arrived. He pressed against Donna as she and her team used bolt cutters to release him.
Eskimo Joe’s days of struggle were finally over as he prepared for a safe journey with SRSL. Donna carried him into her Jeep, where he immediately seemed relieved to be out of his confinement.
“He stared at Donna during his freedom ride and loved the heated seats,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote.
Meeting His First Caregivers
Once at the rescue, Eskimo Joe received a full veterinary evaluation. He tested positive for heartworm, but with the right treatment, his condition is manageable.
The team quickly saw that this pup was gentle, loving, and ready to trust again, which led to him finding a perfect foster placement.
His foster mom shared,“He is the most gentle soul I have ever met. He is crate trained, potty trained, and loves to go for walks. He is a polite boy, he sits for food/treats, loves a good chin scratch, and has quickly become a cuddly couch buddy.”
Eskimo Joe’s transformation was remarkable. He was no longer the timid, abandoned dog behind the house; he was now playful, affectionate, and learning what it means to be safe and loved.
Eskimo Joe is thriving in foster care, and his future is full of promise.
“He is genuinely curious of the world around him and will need walks/time outside to quietly observe now that he’s free from his chain. This guy is as sweet as can be and deserves nothing but the best! Let’s find his forever home, he’s so ready,” said his foster mom.
If you are interested in adopting Eskimo Joe or another dog at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, visit here.