Every dog deserves the warmth and safety of a loving home, where they can thrive with care and protection.
It’s heartbreaking to see some owners abandon their loyal companions in unsafe places. Left to survive on their own, these dogs cling to the hope that their family will return for them.
Heart and Soul, two inseparable best friends, faced a tough battle for survival after being abandoned near a highway. Despite the heartbreak of being left behind by their family, they found solace and strength in each other’s companionship.
Help Is On The Way
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
The two best friends, Heart and Soul, were inseparable—until tragedy struck. One day, Soul was hit by a car on a highway in St. Louis. Heart, witnessing her beloved friend in pain, grew frantic and began barking desperately for help. Her cries echoed across the busy road, drawing the attention of concerned passersby who quickly gathered around the injured pair.
Donna Lochmann, the Chief Lifesaving Officer at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, was driving along the same highway on her way to the shelter. Noticing the commotion, she immediately pulled over and rushed to assist the distressed dogs.
Heart’s barking grew louder and more urgent, as if she understood help had arrived but feared it might be too late.
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
She was barking at people and being protective. She wasn’t being aggressive, but she was letting everyone know that this was her friend, he was hurt, and she was keeping watch over him,” said Donna Lochmann.
With patience and care, Lochmann slowly approached Heart. Once she secured a leash around her, she guided the loyal dog to her car. After ensuring Heart was safe, Lochmann carefully lifted Soul and gently placed him in the back of the vehicle.
As they drove toward the shelter, Heart remained vigilant, her worried eyes frequently glancing back to check on her injured friend, ensuring he was still there and safe.
Saying Goodbye
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
When they arrived at the shelter, Heart refused to leave Soul’s side. Her watchful eyes followed every movement, her concern unwavering.
“She watched and would kind of keep an eye on the vet,” Lochmann shared, describing Heart’s quiet vigilance as the team worked to assess Soul’s condition.
Sadly, the X-rays revealed that Soul’s injuries were far more severe than anyone had hoped. Despite the team’s best efforts, there was nothing they could do to save him. The staff and veterinary team were devastated, their hearts heavy with the weight of the difficult reality.
The shelter staff made sure Heart could be by Soul’s side as he crossed the rainbow bridge. When Heart entered the room and saw her best friend lying there, it was as if she understood everything.
“She laid her head on him, like she was hugging him goodbye. As he went peacefully, she was right there,” Lochmann said softly.
In that heartbreaking moment, Heart stayed close, offering Soul one final act of love and loyalty—a farewell filled with quiet courage and an unbreakable bond.
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Watching Heart say goodbye to Soul left every member of the shelter staff deeply heartbroken. The raw emotion of her quiet farewell was a moment they would never forget.
Determined to help Heart heal from her grief, the team poured their love and care into her. They gave her a gentle, much-needed bath to wash away the dirt and exhaustion from her ordeal. Afterward, they made sure she had a warm, comfortable place to rest.
Throughout the day, her caregivers showered her with affection—stroking her fur, speaking to her softly, and offering her the comfort and reassurance she desperately needed. Heart was no longer alone, and the team was committed to helping her find hope and love again.
Soulmates Will Always Be Together
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Deeply moved by Heart’s unwavering bond with Soul, the shelter staff wanted to ensure the soulmates remained connected forever.
They carefully attached a small pendant containing Soul’s ashes to Heart’s collar. Alongside it hung a delicate golden wing—a symbol of Soul’s eternal presence in her life.
Now, wherever Heart goes, Soul will always be with her—a guardian angel watching over her from doggy heaven.
Heart didn’t stay long at the shelter in St. Louis. Before long, she was welcomed into a loving foster home where her new family understood the depth of her loss.
With gentle care and endless affection, they comforted her grieving heart. They gave her a warm, safe space to heal, showering her with love and patience as she began to trust and find joy again. Heart was finally on her way to discovering a new chapter filled with hope and kindness.
Heart Starts A New Life
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
On January 31, 2023, the rescue was overjoyed to announce that Heart had found her forever family. Her story deeply resonated with her new parents, who had experienced a similar heartbreak when their beloved dog, Cheyenne, passed away.
From the moment they met Heart, they felt an undeniable connection and knew she was meant to be part of their family.
Their dog, Bo, welcomed Heart with open paws. He understood her grief, having also lost his best friend, and the two quickly formed a special bond.
Heart’s new parents firmly believe that she was destined to be with them. Together, they’ve helped heal each other’s emotional scars, turning their shared pain into love and companionship.
Today, Heart is adored by her family, and Bo has become her loyal and playful companion. The two pups love spending time with their family’s grandsons, filling the home with joy and laughter.
Heart now lives a life full of love and happiness. She delights in snuggling with her family, racing around during her energetic zoomies, and simply enjoying the warmth of a home where she’s cherished.
And while she’ll never forget her best friend Soul, his presence remains close to her heart—his ashes still hanging from the pendant on her collar, a symbol of an unbreakable bond that will last forever.