Life for stray dogs in St. Louis is harsh during the winter. With temperatures dipping into the single digits and snow and ice covering the ground, many dogs struggle to find safe shelter, only to be overwhelmed by the brutal elements. Stray Rescue of St. Louis recently encountered one such dog, and their hearts went out to her.
The rescue organization shared, “We found this dog living all alone in an abandoned building. Because it’s been so cold, the snow and ice won’t melt, causing hazardous situations for people and animals. When we found this little girl, we found blood in her paw prints in the snow. Her feet were bleeding from being out in the brutal elements.”
Dippin Dottie just before her rescue. Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Hunched over and shivering from the cold, the dog was scared. “She wanted to trust us so badly, but she couldn’t take that leap of faith to come close enough to get a lead over her head. So we set a trap.” The rescue shared a video of the rescue.
The dog was caught shortly after. Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote, “Thankfully, she went in as she couldn’t’ resist a warm breakfast in her skinny body.” The rescuers were helped by some of their police friends. Officer Ottengheime and Officer Stevens were patrolling the area and met Stray Rescue at the property to help carry the trap down a steep staircase, covered in ice.
Rescuers decided to name the dog Dippin Dottie “because of those adorable little spots in her black and white coat.” As soon as Dippin Dottie was in the warm Jeep, her feet began to thaw. And as soon as she got into the shelter and out of the trap “she climbed up in everyone’s lap giving thankful wet kisses to everyone. She’s been the most affectionate little bundle of joy now that she is safe!”
Dottie at Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Just as many shelters across the United States, Stray Rescue of St. Louis is overcrowded, but even more so with the cold weather snap. They are asking for help with Dottie because otherwise she has to stay in a crate at their shelter. “Who can help by taking this little cookies n cream baby home to foster? Right now she is in a crate because our shelter is too overfull. Let’s get her on a couch. YOUR COUCH! Can you come get someone special today? Tomorrow? Let us know! Strayrescue.org/Foster
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