“I can’t believe nobody in the neighborhood came out to see what was happening…”
When Donna Lochmann received a call about a family of pit bulls in urgent need of help, she knew the rescue mission would be a delicate one. The report mentioned at least three puppies hiding in an overgrown backyard, with their protective mother fiercely determined to keep them safe from any perceived threat. Lochmann, the Chief Life Saving Officer at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, was well aware of the challenges such a situation presented.
Upon arriving at the scene, Lochmann carefully assessed the situation. Although she could spot some of the puppies peeking out from their hiding places, she understood that securing the mother dog was the top priority.
“I thought, ‘Well, I’m just going to try to get mom first because if she’s barking at me, I don’t know how she’ll react when I start picking up her puppies,’” Lochmann explained.
The mother dog, later named Donutfest, was visibly hungry. Lochmann used a can of Vienna sausages to gently lure the cautious dog toward her car. Within minutes, Donutfest was safely inside.
“Once Donutfest was secure, I began focusing on finding the puppies,” Lochmann said.
The first puppy Lochmann found was huddled alone near a fence. While the little one wasn’t overly skittish, it certainly had strong opinions about being handled.
“She absolutely started screaming,” Lochmann recalled. “I can’t believe nobody in the neighborhood came out to see what was happening.”
After being reunited with her mother in the car, the vocal puppy was soon joined by her siblings. Two more puppies were discovered hiding in the thick weeds, and a third was found curled up on an abandoned couch.
The puppies, familiar with their surroundings, initially proved difficult to catch. Two of them darted deeper into the overgrowth, but Lochmann used the same strategy she had employed with their mother. She opened a can of puppy food, and the irresistible scent quickly drew the puppies into her arms.
With Donutfest and three of her four puppies safely in the car, only one remained. This last little one leaped off the couch and tried to make a run for it, but Lochmann gently scooped him up before he could escape.
“It took me a while to get the last three puppies,” Lochmann admitted. “But once I had them all in the car, I was so relieved.”
The puppies, all healthy and thriving, were quickly placed in foster care. A Facebook photo of the reunited family garnered an overwhelming response, suggesting that all four puppies have already found their forever homes.
“I think most of them are already spoken for in terms of finding their forever homes,” Lochmann shared. “But Mama is still with us.”
While her puppies have received a lot of attention, Donutfest is still searching for her forever home. The once-fearful dog has transformed into a happy, playful pup with a constant smile.
“She’s completely just a happy, smiley, bouncy girl now who loves her caregivers and going on walks,” Lochmann said. “We would love for her to be in a home and finally get adopted.”
Stray Rescue of St. Louis remains hopeful that Donutfest will soon find the loving family she deserves. Until then, they continue to provide her with the care and affection she was previously denied.
This heartwarming story highlights the dedication of rescue organizations like Stray Rescue of St. Louis and the importance of community support in helping animals in need. If you’re inspired by Donutfest’s journey, consider supporting your local animal rescue or even opening your home to a furry friend in need.
