When Stray Rescue of St. Louis got a call about a dog sleeping on a street during a heat wave, they politely requested that the caller give them images of the pup so they could decide how best to assist.

According to Donna Lochmann, chief lifesaving officer of Stray Rescue of St. Louis, “the photo this person supplied us showed the dog lying down.” It was difficult to tell, but it appeared as though you could see his hip bones. As a result, I was certain it was worthwhile.

Lochmann quickly made her way to the scene but couldn’t find the pup. She decided to turn into an alley at the last minute — and that’s when she spotted him.

“I saw him there, laying in the street,” Lochmann said. “He was laying in the water coming up from a gutter, probably to keep cool because it was so hot.”

As Lochmann got closer, she quickly realized how desperately the dog needed help.

“When I pulled up to the end of the alley, he must’ve heard me,” Lochmann said. “I watched him pick his head up, kind of look around and then flop his head back down on the curb as if he’d completely given up.”

The image of the dog laying alone on the street with no energy or hope for the future broke Lochmann’s heart.

“It just killed me,” Lochmann said. “I said to myself, ‘There’s no way I’m leaving this dog here.’”

Fortunately for Lochmann, the mistreated dog had no reservations about being saved. Even without a leash, he walked himself to her jeep.

I struck up a conversation with him and said, “Come on, buddy. We’re going to assist you.”

The dog walked over to the car and settled in straight away.

“I keep blankets in the back of the jeep, so he laid down right away,” Lochmann said. “He seemed so grateful for air conditioning and a place to be comfortable.”

The sweet dog, whom they later named Curby, thoroughly enjoyed what the shelter called his “freedom ride” to safety.

“He went to a foster home pretty quickly,” Lochmann said. “A couple saw his video and the wife said to the husband, ‘That dog should not stay in a shelter.’ So they came and picked him up.”

In addition to two really loving parents and a canine brother he adores snuggling with, Curby is thriving in his new foster home. His personality has really begun to develop in his new home, and he has finally started to put on some weight.

His foster parents are head over heels in love with him, according to Lochmann. He ended up being the kindest child I’ve ever met.

Source: Velovify