It was a laid-back morning for Donna Lochmann, with a fresh rescue endeavor on her agenda – a segment of the duty filled with numerous threats lurking about – yet one in which she engaged with unwavering commitment and fervor.
“A dog is waiting and requires our assistance!” declared this seasoned Stray Rescue of St. Louis rescuer after receiving an urgent request for medical aid.
Her teammate, Natalie Thompson, promptly hopped into the passenger seat, sharing the same zeal and pride knowing another puppy would be rescued.
Unbeknownst to them, a significantly larger adventure lay ahead on the roads of St.Louis.
An Unexpected Shift of Plans
As Donna accelerated to ensure they arrived at their location punctually, Natalie abruptly flinched and yelled at Donna to reduce her speed.
“I just spotted something small and brown lingering on a side street,” Donna informed a stunned Natalie. “It could be another dog in need of our assistance” she added.
Indeed, it was a puppy, and Natalie confirmed it. Yet, as she later recounted in an interview, logic prevailed, and it was deemed wiser to return and search for him after completing their primary objective.
The medical aid was swift and effective, and they were fully prepared to embark on another rescue operation.
A Blanket Steeped in Emotions
Upon arriving at the “scene of the incident,” they promptly exited the vehicle to locate their dog, but regrettably, there was no trace of him.
“I was utterly heartbroken at that moment,” Natalie confessed later. However, her instincts as an experienced rescuer were remarkably acute, prompting her to search in an alleyway. And then, BAM, there she was. A frightened, emaciated dog darting in an unfamiliar direction.
At that instant, Natalie lost sight of the dog, but soon spotted her at the end of the alleyway, where she had entered a deserted multi-story building.
Natalie later admitted that it was one of the most intimidating locations she had ever encountered, but it only heightened her determination to rescue this unfortunate puppy because no creature deserves to be in such a setting.
Upon entering the building, she immediately saw the staircase. They were extremely unreliable, but what sort of individual would she be if she didn’t take the risk?
As she finally reached the second floor, her eyes instantly brimmed with tears at the sight before her. A small, frail puppy wrapped in a blanket, seeking warmth in the harsh, cold environment she inhabited.
A Moment of Pride for Every Dog Rescuer
After this challenging moment, Natalie didn’t hesitate for even a second and quickly reached for her slip lead, only to realize she forgot it.
“I only had one slip lead with me, and it was already on the dog in the Jeep,” Lochmann remarked.
When she returned from the Jeep with her most reliable rescue tool, her puppy had vanished. Luckily, Natalie noticed another door on the second floor, realizing that the dog had exited through that entrance.
And, yes – after breaching the edges of the building, she discovered her seated in an open field. She was cautious not to startle her and was unaware of the dog’s temperament.
However, what harm could arise from offering some food to the dog? Vienna sausages worked magic, and she swiftly earned the pup’s trust.
Natalie chose the name “Dodie” for this little darling due to her adorable doll-like features.
Afterward, it was a breeze to place a leash around the dog and get her into the Jeep.
“Overall, this is one of the toughest aspects of the entire mission because some dogs are extremely fearful, but Dodie is genuinely one of a kind,” stated Natalie.
Providing Her with the Life She Truly Deserves
Following the successful rescue mission, the two fearless rescuers took her to the vet, where, as anticipated for this remarkable girl, she underwent examinations without a single whimper. Kudos to her!
Surprisingly, her health was quite decent. The only issue was that she was underweight.
For this reason, she was placed on a rigid feeding regimen, receiving very small portions several times a day.
To this day, Dodie finds herself in a foster home, cocooned in a genuinely warm and cozy blanket, enhanced by the unconditional love from her foster mother, Nicolina, along with other caring individuals and volunteers from this wonderful foster residence.
