On a warm summer day last July in St. Louis, Missouri, a driver noticed something odd along a busy road. In the middle of a large field with tall grass sat a black metal crate. Curiosity led the driver to investigate, and what she found was heartbreaking: a nearly hairless black dog, barely alive, lying beside her deceased companion.
“She wasn’t alone. Sadly, her sweet pup friend didn’t survive, and she refused to leave his side,” Julie Christofferson shared in a heartfelt Facebook post.
The driver, unsure how long the dogs had been stranded, saw that while one hadn’t made it, there was still hope for the one with patches of black hair clinging to life.
“Her condition was horrific,” Christofferson wrote. “She had severe hair loss from thousands of fleas.”
The dog, later named Cardi B, was too sick to move, but the driver knew she couldn’t give up on her. Determined to save her, she reached out to the community, and soon, a friend named Sarah Barney stepped in to help.
Barney rushed Cardi B to the vet, where the team immediately took her in. “To think about what she’s endured in her short life is unimaginable,” Christofferson continued. “But Sarah couldn’t just leave her there.”
At Stray Rescue of St. Louis’ (SRSL) emergency clinic, Cardi B was welcomed with love and compassion. The staff were deeply moved by her story. “The driver who found her is a true hero,” SRSL wrote on Facebook.
After thorough examinations, the veterinary team was relieved to find that Cardi B didn’t have any broken bones, as they had feared. “She couldn’t walk or stand on her own, and we thought she might have a broken pelvis,” SRSL shared. “Thankfully, she was just weak from a hard life.”
Despite her frail state, Cardi B immediately began receiving the love and care she so desperately needed. SRSL’s team was determined to give her the life she deserved. “We’re getting her out in the sun with a sling to help her walk,” they said. “She’s so excited to move and sniff around. It’s like she hasn’t done it in a long time!”
Within days of her rescue, Cardi B’s health improved remarkably. With the help of a wheelchair, she was back on the move. “After just one week of love, nutrition, and medical care, this girl is ready to live her best life!” SRSL posted proudly. “At 13 years old, Cardi B is finally getting the chance to experience the joy she’s always deserved.”
Her personality blossomed at SRSL. Whether cruising around in her wheelchair or cuddling with her new friends, Cardi B’s transformation was nothing short of miraculous. “She’s such a babe!” the rescue gushed. “All she wants now is to be on a big, cozy bed right next to you.”
It wasn’t long before Cardi B found the perfect foster home. Once a dog with little hope, she now had shiny fur, a loving family, and a second chance at life. “She’s even getting up on her own now,” SRSL shared. “She loves chasing balls, and she’s even started swimming!”
Cardi B’s incredible transformation is a testament to the power of compassion. Thanks to a Good Samaritan who refused to ignore a random crate in a field, this once-hopeless dog is living the life she always deserved.
“Cardi B, we love you!” SRSL wrote. “Thank you to everyone who supports rescue dogs. They truly deserve it.”
