At Stray Rescue of St. Louis, Donna Lochmann, the chief life-saving officer, fearlessly ventures into the toughest places to rescue neglected and abandoned pets. Her commitment and compassion are as vast as her courage.
One Friday afternoon, a caring passerby, while walking her dogs, spotted a painfully thin dog hiding in the woods. The sight was heartbreaking. She immediately called Stray Rescue for help, suspecting the poor animal had been stranded there, starving, and barely holding on.
Rescuers rushed to the scene, combing through the woods for hours. As daylight dwindled with the approaching evening, they feared they might have to turn back empty-handed.
Then, just in time, they spotted him. He was huddled in the fallen leaves, a frail silhouette, barely more than bones.
Donna approached gently, asking him if he was ready to leave the woods. Though clearly frightened, the dog didn't resist. They tried to walk, but his strength quickly faded. His frail body could barely support him after so long without food, so Donna scooped him up, carrying him until he regained a bit of energy.
Even out of the woods, they still had a journey ahead to reach her Jeep. With breaks to rest and be carried, Donna and the dog finally made it back to the rescue center.
At the shelter, veterinarians examined him and confirmed the severity of his condition: his weight was dangerously low for his size, putting him at high risk. But thanks to the dedication of Donna and the team at Stray Rescue, this brave soul finally had a second chance.
