Recently, the team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) stumbled upon a heartbreaking scene while driving through the bustling streets of Missouri. A dog was found abandoned, lying amid a pile of trash near an overflowing dumpster. At first glance, it was clear that her situation was dire. Trapped and unable to move, the pup had no choice but to curl up on the garbage heap, waiting for someone to save her. Fortunately, help had arrived.
Determined to free the frightened dog, the rescuers approached cautiously. But the scared girl, later named Snapple, was defensive and hesitant to trust them. Her initial reaction was one of fear, and she lashed out, but the team was patient.
Donna Lochmann, SRSL’s Chief Life-Saving Officer, opened a can of Vienna sausages, offering Snapple small bites to coax her into trusting them. Bit by bit, the pup let her guard down, eventually allowing the team to secure a leash around her neck. After carefully cutting her free from the tangled cable, they were finally able to lead her to safety.
Once she realized she was truly free, Snapple’s demeanor shifted. Though still cautious, she followed her rescuers to their vehicle and was taken straight to the SRSL shelter. There, she received a thorough bath to wash away the grime from her ordeal, followed by a full medical examination. Thankfully, Snapple was given a clean bill of health, but the emotional scars from her abandonment would take longer to heal.
“She’s been through a lot and doesn’t trust us yet,” SRSL wrote on Facebook. “Our amazing team is working with her to show her that she will never be hurt, discarded, tossed aside or abandoned again.”
Since her rescue, Snapple has begun to blossom at the shelter. Although she’s still wary, her personality is slowly shining through as she learns that she’s finally safe. Snapple is now available for adoption, but SRSL is committed to giving her all the time she needs to recover fully.
Shockingly, this is not the first time she has faced animal cruelty charges; she has a past conviction for similar crimes. We must ensure that no more animals suffer or die in her care!
“She can let those walls down when she’s ready,” SRSL wrote. “[SRSL] gives dogs the time they need, each on their own unique timeline.” We have no doubt that Snapple will soon be in a loving home where she will be cherished for the good girl she is! If you’d like more information on adopting Snapple, click here.
Toledo, United States.
