Donna Lochmann of Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) in Missouri found herself in the middle of one of the most demanding rescues she had ever handled.
In one coordinated effort, nineteen dogs were removed from a single home. Among the large group, one young pup had the hardest time understanding what was happening around her.
The frightened dog could not grasp that Donna was trying to help, and her deep fear of humans made the process extremely difficult.
Cornered And Overwhelmed
The small pup pushed her body into a tight corner, barking with all her strength each time Donna drew close.
Donna refused to walk away without her.
“She was pretty feral. She clearly had not been handled by humans,” said Donna, chief life saving officer at SRSL.
The team did not know much about the dogs’ past, but it was clear that they had lived without real care. They had never learned to trust people or understand that humans could be kind.
This particular puppy, who later received the name Roaring River, showed the most fear out of all nineteen.
Even so, Donna and SRSL’s shelter manager, Kiara, continued working together to safely rescue her. They were committed to getting her out of that house.
Whenever Kiara tried to reach out to her, Roaring River reacted by snapping and biting at her arm. After many tense moments, the scared pup finally began to lose energy, giving Donna the opportunity to scoop her up.
Both rescuers felt a wave of relief once Roaring River was secured in the car and on her way to the Missouri shelter.
Settling Into A New World
Once the dogs arrived at SRSL, each one underwent a thorough health check and received necessary veterinary care.
Once they were treated and supported, they could begin adjusting to a more stable life.
Roaring River, however, needed extra time to understand this new reality.
She had never been on a leash and reacted with panic when anyone tried to guide her with one. In the beginning, the staff had to carry her to the yard just so she could exercise and get fresh air.
“We carried her out to the yard the first few times until she got more used to being on a leash and walking some. But even then, it was a struggle.”
With slow, steady encouragement, Roaring River eventually began to accept the leash. Before long, she was racing around and enjoying the company of the other shelter dogs.
“She runs, plays and chases the other dogs. She’s a totally different dog.”
Hope For A Family Of Her Own
As her confidence grew, the team knew she was ready to find a forever family that could meet her emotional needs.
Many of her siblings were adopted quickly, but Roaring River remained at the shelter a bit longer. She continued waiting, convinced that the right people would eventually notice her.
She was right.
A family began visiting the shelter frequently, allowing Roaring River to get familiar with them slowly. They wanted her to feel comfortable before bringing her into a completely new setting.
”They’re just really letting her get used to them, which is a smart way to handle that. They seem very patient and understanding of her situation.”
Soon enough, she was prepared to leave the shelter and begin the next chapter of her life.
The day she left came with an unexpected gift. Her adopters chose another dog as well, giving Roaring River both a family and a loyal friend to grow up with.
Now she spends her time playing, sprinting around the yard, and sharing affection she once felt too scared to offer.
Good girl, Roaring River.