Winters in St. Louis, Missouri, are harsh, with temperatures dropping to single digits, making the cold especially unbearable for stray animals. During these bitter months, the dedicated team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) works tirelessly to save dogs in distress, particularly in the depths of January’s freezing temperatures.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
On one of their routine searches, SRSL rescuers stumbled upon an abandoned house, expecting only to find a vacant structure. Instead, they were confronted with a shocking sight: a small dog, who had clearly once been a cherished family member, was left chained to a doghouse filled with frozen water.
The poor dog, now named Eskimo Joe, was curled up on the frozen ground, shivering from the brutal cold. The wind howled around him, making the situation even more dire. Stray Rescue of St. Louis shared on Facebook, “The cold wind howled and the cold hurt after being outside for just a few moments. The callousness of this act alone gives us chills.”
Donna Lochmann, one of the compassionate SRSL rescuers, was visibly heartbroken. She wrote, “Why someone felt you deserved to suffer with that huge chain is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. You’re free.”
The Rescue: Eskimo Joe’s Freedom
When Eskimo Joe saw the rescuers approaching, he knew he was being saved. With a wag of his tail, he pressed his body against Donna, as they used bolt cutters to free him from the cruel chain that had bound him.
Eskimo Joe had endured so much, fighting for survival without food or water. But all that hardship was now behind him. As Donna scooped him up and placed him in her warm Jeep for his “freedom ride,” the poor dog found solace in the heated seats, staring up at Donna with gratitude.
A New Beginning
After the rescue, Eskimo Joe received a thorough veterinary checkup, where he was unfortunately diagnosed with heartworm. However, the good news is that heartworm is treatable with medication. Despite this challenge, Eskimo Joe’s loving and gentle nature quickly won the hearts of his rescuers, and he soon found a foster home.
Eskimo Joe’s foster mom shared her joy with SRSL, saying, “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.”
The transformation in Eskimo Joe is remarkable. Once a frightened, neglected dog, he now radiates happiness and love, enjoying the comfort of his new life. He’s still searching for his forever home, but for now, he’s basking in the love of his foster family.
Looking Forward to His Forever Home
Eskimo Joe’s foster mom continues, “He is genuinely curious about 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.”
Eskimo Joe is one step closer to the happy ending he deserves. If you’re interested in adopting him or another dog from Stray Rescue of St. Louis, visit their website for more information.
Let’s help Eskimo Joe find the loving home he’s been waiting for!
