It’s difficult to hide from a large black-and-white dog like Fergie. But Fergie, a 2-year old, believed she had no choice. Because she was lost in the woods, she hid under a blanket of weeds while waiting for someone to find her.
Fortunately, a person who was passing through the forest saw the puppy and called the Stray Rescue of St. Louis team.
“At first, I didn’t really see her anywhere,” Donna Lochmann, SRSL’s chief life saving officer, told The Dodo. “But I went back the next day and sure enough there she was, still in the weeds.”
When they first met, Fergie wasn’t sure how to feel about her rescuer. She had been on her own outside for some time and was obviously in survival mode; she was unsure about Lochmann’s reliability at the time. The scared pup ran to Lochmann and started growling at him.
Lochmann then realized that something wasn’t right.
“I realized that she wasn’t using her front right leg,” Lochmann said. “She was clearly injured.”
Fergie was not only harmed but also enveloped by dense foliage and entangled grapevines. Lochmann tried something else because she understood that trying to catch the pup by putting a slip lead around her neck wouldn’t be the best idea.
“I thought it’d be easier to set a trap and see if she went in,” Lochmann said. “So I got a bunch of fresh fried chicken and put it in one of my traps.”
Although the pup was hungry, she was cautious about the trap. Lochmann was stunned to find the trap and chicken abandoned when she returned to check.
Fergie wasn’t at the exact same spot in the weeds. Fergie had found a abandoned home near her and took up residence at its foundation.
Lochmann modified his strategy to save Fergie. The seasoned rescuer chose to gain Fergie’s trust by speaking in a soft and encouraging tone rather than trying to catch her when she was unaware.
“I got down on my knees where she could see me and just tried talking to her a bit,” Lochmann said. “She didn’t get up and try to run away from me this time.”
Fergie spoke softly to Lochmann while he walked towards her. Lochmann carefully tossed the end of a leash in Fergie’s direction and comforted her that everything was going to be okay when she was finally close enough to approach the puppy.
You can hear Lochmann and Fergie speaking here:
“I kind of did that a couple of times and said, ‘See, it’s a leash,’” Lochmann said.
Lochmann tried putting the leash over Fergie’s head but she didn’t react to it. The leash was held in place by Fergie with little resistance.
“She pretty much just shut down,” Lochmann said. “She must’ve been so exhausted from being alone for so long.”
After securing Fergie’s safety, Lochmann immediately took the dog to the doctor. Fergie was tested positive for parvo and shoulder damage. This will require an amputation.
Lochmann claims that the puppy became very ill shortly after being saved. However, she received immediate treatment.
“She’s not completely out of the woods yet, but she did just start eating, so she seems to be on the mend,” Lochmann said.
Fergie has much to do before she can find her forever home. Fergie will make a full recovery thanks to the love and support of her SRSL caregivers.
Even though it will be hard for employees like Lochmann, they will be glad to know that Fergie is living the life that she deserves.
Source: The Dodo
