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 dogs in unsafe places. Left alone and vulnerable, these loyal pups struggle to survive, still hoping their family will return.
Heart and Soul, two best friends, fought for their survival, too, after they were abandoned near the highway. After being let down by their family, they found comfort in each other.
Help Is On The Way
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
The two best friends were always together until tragedy struck—Soul was hit by a car on a highway in St. Louis. Seeing her friend injured, Heart grew anxious and began barking frantically. Soon, a crowd gathered around them.
Donna Lochmann, chief lifesaving officer at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, was driving down the same highway on her way to the shelter. Spotting the accident, she quickly pulled over and hurried to help the dogs.
Heart’s frantic barking grew louder with each passing moment.
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
“She was barking to protect her friend—not out of aggression, but to make it clear that he was hurt and she was standing by his side,” Lochmann explained.
Carefully, the rescuer approached Heart, slipped a leash on her, and led her to the car. Once Heart was secure, Lochmann gently carried Soul and placed him in the back seat.
As they headed to the shelter, the worried pup kept glancing back, never taking her eyes off her injured friend.
Saying Goodbye
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Once they arrived at the shelter, Heart refused to leave Soul’s side.
“She kept a close eye on the vet, watching every move,” Lochmann recalled.
Sadly, X-rays revealed Soul’s injuries were far more severe than anyone had hoped. The shelter staff and vet team were heartbroken, knowing nothing more could be done.
Wanting Heart to have closure, they brought her into the room to be with her friend one last time. As she approached Soul, it was as if she understood everything.
“She rested her head on him, like a final hug goodbye,” Lochmann said. “She stayed right there as he passed peacefully.”
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Watching Heart say goodbye to Soul left the shelter staff heartbroken.
Determined to ease her pain, they vowed to give her all the love and support she needed to heal.
Her caregivers gently bathed her, giving her a chance to relax and unwind. They showered her with love and attention, offering soothing strokes and comforting words to ease her heartache.
Soulmates Will Always Be Together
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
Deeply touched by Heart’s bond with Soul, the shelter staff found a way to keep the soulmates connected.
They attached a pendant with Soul’s ashes to Heart’s collar, along with a golden wing symbolizing his enduring presence. Now, her guardian angel watches over her from doggy heaven.
Heart didn’t stay long at the shelter. Soon, she moved to a loving foster home, where her new family comforted her with endless love and care.
Heart Starts A New Life
Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis
On January 31, 2023, the rescue shared heartwarming news—Heart had found her forever family. Her story deeply resonated with her new parents, who had recently faced the same heartbreak after losing their beloved dog, Cheyenne.
The moment they met Heart, they knew she was meant to be part of their family. Their dog, Bo, welcomed her with open paws, understanding her grief all too well, having lost his own best friend.
Together, they began to heal each other’s emotional scars. Heart quickly became a cherished member of the family, adored by her parents and forming an unbreakable bond with Bo. Both pups love spending time with their parents’ grandsons, filling the home with laughter and love.
Today, Heart lives a joyful life, snuggling with her family and racing around in playful zoomies. Though she’ll never forget Soul, she still wears the pendant with his ashes on her collar—a constant reminder that her best friend is always with her.