Truck Driver Rescues Tiny Dog Shaking In A Ditch On The Side Of The Road
While driving through St. Louis, Missouri, a truck driver spotted a tiny dog quivering in a roadside ditch, desperate for help.
Unable to stop, he immediately contacted Stray Rescue of St. Louis, setting into motion a life-saving rescue for the abandoned pup.
The Rescue Effort Begins
Stray Rescue of St. Louis quickly responded to the truck driver’s call about the little brown and white puppy.
They arrived at the scene and found the terrified pup, who they later named Odella, after the truck driver, Odell, who had alerted them.
When Donna Lochmann, Chief Life Saving Officer, approached her, Odella’s tail began wagging despite her fear and hunger.
What initially seemed like a friendly pup in distress turned out to be much more serious. Odella had been hit by a car, leaving her with significant injuries.
“X-rays indicate a dislocated hip and broken foot,” the rescue wrote in their blog.
The rescue expressed deep gratitude for Odell’s quick action: “To picture her quivering in that ditch all by herself and hurting breaks our heart. Her healing journey begins today.“
Odella’s Path To Recovery
To save Odella’s leg, veterinarians worked tirelessly, popping her dislocated hip back into place and bandaging her injuries with splints.
Her recovery took longer than expected due to another femur fracture, but after months of care, Odella healed and could run joyfully on all fours.
During her recovery, Odella stayed with her foster mom, Donna Lochmann, who had already adopted several rescues. Odella’s sweet personality quickly won Donna over.
Donna shared on Facebook: “She just never left. She came in, unpacked her bags, and that was pretty much it!“
A Forever Home Full Of Love
Odella now thrives in her new forever home with Donna and her furry siblings. Her days are filled with playing, bouncing from one dog to another, and enjoying her toys and peanut butter-filled kongs.
Donna adores Odella’s happy spirit, a testament to her resilience.
“She has the happiest personality and bounces from one dog to another to find one that will keep playing! She loves her toys and peanut butter kongs,” Donna wrote.
Thanks to the truck driver’s observant eyes and compassionate heart, Odella went from a ditch of despair to a home filled with love and joy.