Cruelly Tied To A Tree In Missouri, Dog Spends Hours Hoping His Owners Will Return

By Charles Brown 10/17/2025

No living being should experience the pain of being left behind by the ones they love. Unfortunately, dogs feel that heartbreak just as deeply as humans do when those they trust abandon them.

Oak, a one-year-old pup, learned this in the harshest way possible. When his owners loaded him into the car, he thought he was going for a fun ride. Instead, they drove him to an unfamiliar area, tied him to a tree behind Stray Rescue of St. Louis in Missouri, and walked away.

As they disappeared from sight, Oak waited patiently, unaware that they would never come back.

Holding On To Hope


At first, Oak was simply confused. He lay beneath the tree, glancing around, certain that his family would return for him soon.

While staff and volunteers at Stray Rescue were outside walking other dogs, they spotted him tethered to a magnolia tree. His expression was filled with sadness, his bright eyes dulled by fear and confusion.

The team was heartbroken. The shelter was already overcrowded and had temporarily stopped intakes, but leaving him there wasn’t an option.


As some staff worked quickly to prepare space inside, a volunteer approached Oak carefully, speaking in a calm, reassuring voice. But the pup didn’t move. He was still clinging to hope that his people would come back for him.

“He didn’t want to get up, he just started looking around frantically for his people. But they’re not coming back,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote on Facebook.

The volunteer stayed by his side, gently offering comfort until Oak finally began to understand that help had arrived.


Safe And Cared For


Once Oak allowed the volunteer near, he was untied and guided into the shelter.

“This guy is safe, we are taking him in, but we are setting up ANOTHER crate in a very loud and chaotic room. This is breaking our hearts,” the shelter posted.

The room was noisy and crowded, but at least Oak was no longer alone. He had warmth, food, and people determined to care for him.

Now, the team hopes Oak’s stay will be brief, that a kind family will soon come forward to give him the peaceful home he deserves.


Today, Oak spends his days taking walks with volunteers and playing with other dogs, though he still spends much of his time inside his kennel. Despite what he has endured, he remains gentle, affectionate, and full of hope.

Everyone at the shelter believes his patience will soon be rewarded. Somewhere out there is a family ready to give Oak the love and security he has been waiting for.

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