It’s heartbreaking to realize just how cruel some people can be to innocent pups who only ask for love.
Instead of giving them safety and affection, they choose to hurt them and shatter their trust. They abandon the very friends who once gave them unconditional loyalty.
Snapple knows that kind of betrayal all too well. Her former owners tied her to a dumpster and left her behind, showing no care for her safety or her fragile heart.
A Frightened Pup Waiting For Help
Luckily, Donna Lochmann and her team from Stray Rescue of St. Louis happened to be driving through the Missouri capital that day. When they spotted a small figure curled up on a pile of trash, they immediately jumped out of their car to investigate.
As they drew closer, their hearts broke—Snapple was tied to the dumpster with a cable so twisted around a fence that she had no chance of freeing herself.
“We pulled up to find a dog [lying] in a pile of trash, looking up at us. [She was] tied to a dumpster with a cable, and the cable was all twisted around a fence,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote on Facebook.
Helpless and frightened, Snapple lifted her head and looked at the rescuers with eyes full of sadness, pleading for someone to give her a chance.
Earning Her Trust
When Donna and her team tried to approach, Snapple barked nervously. Fear still gripped her heart, making it hard for her to trust strangers.
But the rescuers refused to give up. Donna knelt down and offered her Vienna sausages, speaking gently to reassure her. Hunger eventually won, and Snapple cautiously accepted the food.
Little by little, she started to believe these people were different. Finally, she allowed them to slip a leash around her neck and lead her away from the trash heap.
Her rescuers carried her to the car, and although she stayed guarded at first, she soon realized she was finally safe.
At the shelter, the team gave her a soothing bath and a full medical checkup. To everyone’s relief, Snapple turned out to be in good health.
Surrounded By Love
Even in safety, Snapple couldn’t shake the fear from her past. The staff at Stray Rescue knew she needed patience, kindness, and lots of love to heal.
They showered her with affection, sitting with her, petting her, and reminding her that she would never be abandoned again. Slowly, her walls began to crumble.
Snapple started wagging her tail, covering her caregivers in kisses, and showing them how much she appreciated their compassion.
She still has a little way to go before she fully heals, but with every passing day, Snapple grows more confident and happy.
Although she’s already available for adoption, the shelter staff emphasized that they’ll give her all the time she needs.
“She can let those walls down when she’s ready. [Stray Rescue of St. Louis] gives dogs the time they need, each on their own unique timeline,” the shelter wrote.
With such dedicated people by her side, Snapple’s future looks brighter than ever. When the right family finally comes along, she’ll be ready to embrace the life of love and joy she always deserved.