Shivering Dog Chained in Backyard of Abandoned Home in Freezing Cold

In the harsh winters of St. Louis, Missouri, where temperatures often dip into single digits, life can be a brutal struggle for stray animals. This is where the dedicated team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) steps in, working tirelessly to help those in need. On one particularly cold day, they made a heartbreaking discovery that left them shocked.

A Desperate Cry for Help

Dog chained outside in freezing cold rescued. — Dog chained outside of abandoned home in freezing cold rescued. Image by @StrayRescue via Facebook.

While on their daily patrol, the SRSL rescuers found themselves drawn to an abandoned house. At first glance, it looked like any other empty home, but a closer inspection revealed a sad reality in the backyard. There, chained to a frozen doghouse, was a shivering dog, abandoned and left to face the freezing cold alone.

The poor dog, later named Eskimo Joe, had clearly been a part of a family at one point, but now he was left in the most inhumane conditions that no dog could survive for long. His water bowl was frozen solid, and he had no food to keep him going. The wind was bitter, biting through the air, and Eskimo Joe was curled up on the ground, doing his best to stay warm. The sight was enough to make even the toughest rescuer shed a tear.

The Moment of Freedom

Chained dog finally free. Image by @StrayRescue via Facebook.

When the rescue team approached Eskimo Joe, they expected him to be fearful, but instead, he greeted them with a wagging tail. He pressed his frail body against Donna Lochmann, one of the SRSL rescuers, as if he knew that his suffering was finally over. With bolt cutters in hand, Donna set him free from the chain that had kept him trapped in the freezing yard.

SRSL shared the heart-wrenching story on social media, describing the cruel conditions that Eskimo Joe had been forced to endure. “Why someone would leave him like that is beyond understanding,” they wrote. But at that moment, what mattered most was that Eskimo Joe was free, and his new life had just begun.

A Warm Ride to Safety

Rescued dog on his freedom drive. Image by @StrayRescue via Facebook.

As soon as Eskimo Joe was unchained, Donna gently lifted him into her warm Jeep for what the team lovingly called his “freedom ride.” The heated seats provided much-needed warmth for the freezing dog, and as they drove away from the abandoned house, Eskimo Joe looked up at Donna with eyes full of gratitude. It was as if he knew he was finally safe.

Eskimo Joe’s journey didn’t end there. After arriving at SRSL’s shelter, he was given a full checkup by the veterinary team. Though he tested positive for heartworm, the condition was treatable, and the team immediately started him on medication. Despite everything he had been through, Eskimo Joe remained gentle and kind, capturing the hearts of everyone who met him.

A New Beginning in a Loving Home

Abandoned dog finally warm and safe. Image by @StrayRescue via Facebook.

Eskimo Joe’s story continued to unfold in the most heartwarming way. It wasn’t long before he found a foster home, where he could heal and experience the love and warmth that he had been missing for so long. His foster mom quickly became smitten with him, describing him as “the most gentle soul” she had ever met. Eskimo Joe, now free from his chain, was enjoying life in a home where he was cherished.

His foster mom shared that Eskimo Joe was gentle, well-behaved, and loved to cuddle on the couch, getting warm and cozy. He was crate trained, potty trained, and couldn’t wait to go on walks. He had even made friends with the other dogs in the home, showing just how sweet and loving he truly was. Though his journey had been rough with the scars of heartbreak and abandonment, Eskimo Joe was finally getting the chance to enjoy life.

While Eskimo Joe is still waiting for his forever home, he’s thriving in his foster environment. His foster mom describes him as curious about the world, eager to explore the outdoors now that he’s no longer chained up. He’s ready to find a family who will love him for the wonderful, gentle dog he is.