Barely one day into the New Year 2023, Stray Rescue of St. Louis, Chief Life Saving Officer Donna Lochmann and her team had been checking on another dog when they arrived at a traffic buildup on Highway 70. A group of people had been gathered around a dog who had been been struck on the road; his loyal canine friend had remained by the critically injured dog and barked.
The rescued pups, named Heart and Soul by their rescuers, were rushed to a nearby trauma center where Soul was sedated and examined by the emergency veterinarian team. The dog was paralyzed, and after radiographs, it was determined the dog’s spine had been “severed,” and there was no way to help him.
She (Heart) wanted to be with him, so we gave her time to say goodbye. We kept her with us the entire time, hoping she would understand what was happening. We got her set up in an apartment with big, cushy blankets and sat with her. At first she was scared and growly, but then she didn’t want to leave her.
Check out the video:
https://www.facebook.com/StrayRescue/videos/1454397678302585
Heart fell asleep on Soul. Everyone grieved with her; the love, the loyalty, and the sadness dug deep into their hearts.
And this beautiful Tuesday morning, Heart has started to open up.
Heart was dirty, so stinky, and covered in something gross. Who knows how long and she and Soul were surviving the streets together. Today, she got a much needed, sudsy bath. Time to start healing, baby girl
In the near future, Heart will be ready to find her forever home. At this time, she is still very shy and has not wanted to meet any other dogs, but slowly she will be building her self-confidence and be ready to interact with dogs and humans.
And although Soul’s life and death with the team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis was so fleeting, Heart will soon receive a pendant to attach to her collar with some of the ashes of her best friend – and they will always be together.
If Love Could’ve saved him, he’d live forever.
Read the original story of Heart and Soul here.
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