Stray Rescue of St. Louis received photos of a dog lost in the woods from a Good Samaritan who had spotted him earlier while walking her own dogs. The rescue team immediately set out to find him, but after hours of searching with no luck, it became a race against the dark.
“Due to daylight savings, we were losing light really quick and about to give up,” Stray Rescue wrote. “THAT’S when we spotted him curled up in a tiny ball…Everyone, meet Matlock.”
Stray Rescue of St. Louis
The poor pup was skin and bones and had a wound on his side. Donna approached him slowly and offered him a snack that got him to perk up.
Stray Rescue of St. Louis
However, Matlock was still too scared to leave the woods, so Donna picked him up and carried him out. But there was still a mile to the car.
Donna picked him up again and continued carrying him, walking and walking, until they finally reached the car as darkness fell. Thankfully, Matlock is now safe and will get the urgent care he so desperately needs. To help support Matlock visit: Strayrescue.org/Matlock-Rescue
Pupdate: Dec 16, 2024
Stray Rescue shared the following pupdate on Matlock.
“He made it home just in time.
Matlock passed away this weekend in his hospice foster home. He went outside with his new pack to go potty, and he didn’t come back in. His hospice mama went out and found him collapsed. She rushed him inside to his dog bed, and laid with him as he took his last breaths. We wish he had longer, but he got what he always wanted before he left us.
He got to be home.
He got to be family.
He got to be a son.
He got doggy brothers and sisters who he followed everywhere.
He got to sleep in the big bed and cuddled so much this last week.
Although he was gaining weight and doing well, the open tumor on his side was a cancer that had already spread to his organs. He was taking Chemo, but his old body said it was time. He had a peace we don’t know if he ever had in his long life, but he got to experience dignity and so much love in the end. That’s all we can ask for these babies.
Thank you to everyone who loved him, prayed for him, and sent packages for him. And to his hospice foster mama Ashley, thank you will never be enough for the gift you gave him. For the gift you gave us all. Thank you. ”
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.