It’s hard to imagine the cruelty some dogs endure. Instead of being protected and loved, they’re discarded like garbage left to survive alone, confused and heartbroken.
Snapple knows that pain all too well. Her former owners tied her to a dumpster and walked away, showing no concern for her safety or her spirit.
A Frightened Pup Waiting For Help
Donna Lochmann and her team from Stray Rescue of St. Louis were driving through the Missouri capital when they spotted a small figure curled up on a pile of trash.
They stopped immediately.
As they approached, their hearts sank. Snapple was tied to the dumpster with a cable so tightly twisted around a fence that escape was impossible.
“We pulled up to find a dog [lying] in a pile of trash, looking up at us. [She was] tied to a dumpster with a cable, and the cable was all twisted around a fence,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote on Facebook.
Snapple looked up at them with pleading eyes, her body tense with fear, silently begging for someone to help.
Building Trust One Bite At A Time
When Donna and her team tried to get close, Snapple barked nervously. Her fear was still raw, making it hard to trust.
But the rescuers were patient. Donna knelt down and offered Vienna sausages, speaking softly to reassure her. Hunger eventually won, and Snapple cautiously accepted the food.
Little by little, she began to believe these people were different. She allowed them to slip a leash around her neck and lead her away from the trash heap.
At the shelter, she received a gentle bath and a full medical checkup. To everyone’s relief, Snapple was in good health.
A Safe Place To Heal
Even in safety, Snapple carried the weight of her past. The team at Stray Rescue knew she needed time, patience, and love.
They sat with her, offered affection, and reminded her she would never be abandoned again. Slowly, her walls began to fall.
Snapple started wagging her tail, giving kisses, and showing her gratitude in the sweetest ways.
She’s still healing, but each day brings more confidence and joy. Though she’s already available for adoption, the shelter is in no rush.
“She can let those walls down when she’s ready. [Stray Rescue of St. Louis] gives dogs the time they need, each on their own unique timeline,” the shelter wrote.
With such devoted care, Snapple’s future is full of promise. And when the right family finally finds her, she’ll be ready to embrace the love she’s always deserved.
