One of the most remarkable aspects of humanity is what we can achieve when we unite. Together, almost any challenge can be overcome.
A major issue facing the world today is animal cruelty and abuse. Despite ongoing efforts, it remains a difficult problem with much work still ahead, yet progress is possible when everyone truly cares.
This story highlights a dog who endured tremendous hardships but found hope thanks to people determined to make a positive difference.
A Devastating Discovery On The Way Home
In St. Louis, a man heading home from work noticed something unusual near a nearby bus stop. Curious, he stopped to investigate and was horrified to find a dog tied to a bench, abandoned and left to perish.
The dog was so severely undernourished that she couldn’t even stand.
The man acted quickly and called for help. Donna Lochmann, chief life saving officer at Stray Rescue of St. Louis’s told The Dodo: He actually just picked her up and carried her home. Then he called us.
Lochmann arrived at his home shortly after and was stunned by the dog’s condition.
Lochmann said: She was emaciated, not just skinny. She was outside on a little blanket, lying in the shade, but she couldn’t even stand. So, I picked her up and carried her to the Jeep.
The dog, later named She-Ra, was relieved to finally receive the care she desperately needed, even though she was too weak to move.
A Long Road To Healing Begins
Once She-Ra reached the veterinary clinic, the staff immediately began her evaluation and treatment.
Though her history was unclear, Lochmann believed she had spent most of her life neglected, possibly confined to a small crate.
She was given a gentle bath and began her recovery. Due to her extreme malnourishment, the clinic couldn’t feed her large meals right away.
Instead, they introduced food gradually, in small portions, allowing her body to adjust to digesting nutrients again.
Although she was eating regularly, She-Ra still couldn’t walk. To help her enjoy the outdoors, the staff placed her in a stroller for fresh air outings.
With time, her strength returned. She began walking again, and her feeding schedule was adjusted to include larger portions as her body continued to heal.
A Joyful New Chapter For She-Ra
Eventually, She-Ra was placed in foster care and prepared for adoption. Her foster family adored her.
Lochmann said: She was actually living in the foster home with a couple of other dogs, a cat, a monkey and a bird. She got exposed to a whole lot and was doing really well. They had a huge fenced yard, and she just loved to run and play with the other dogs.
Not long after, a family expressed interest in adopting She-Ra. She was thrilled to meet them, and it was clear to everyone that she had found her perfect match.
In her final statement, Lochmann said: Her story has a happy ending. It’s a super happy ending for a girl who had nothing to start with. She’s just a happy dog.
This rescue shows how much can change when people come together to help a dog in need.