According to popular wisdom, raising a dog requires the help of an entire community. However, Annie McHound’s story proves that sometimes it takes a village to rescue a furry friend. The tale began when a family stumbled upon the pup hiding in their backyard corner, with under three years of age. The hot summer day had taken its toll on her, and the family feared they were running out of time. To get help, they placed Annie in a large Tupperware container and immediately contacted the Stray Rescue of St. Louis. When Donna Lochmann, the chief life-saving officer at the shelter, arrived at the scene, she found the pup in a dire state. Donna stated that they had intervened just in time, and Annie would not have survived much longer.
Thankfully, the family acted swiftly and asked for help. Annie McHound was underweight and infested with fleas, so much so that the rescuer, Lochmann, had not seen a case like hers in a while. Lochmann immediately alerted the medical staff at the shelter after transferring Annie to her vehicle. This signaled the beginning of a support network of volunteers who were eager to save Annie’s life. The first thing the team did upon arrival was sanitize the area. They quickly realized that Annie could not stand on her own after her bath. To ensure her comfort, they wrapped her in a cozy blanket and placed her in one of the kennels.
The team made an effort to provide Annie with fluids, but as she showed no signs of improvement, a decision was made to take her to an emergency facility where she could receive a blood transfusion. Despite the short period they had spent together, Annie’s tribe had grown fond of her and were excited for her return. They were passionate about supporting their new friend in her recovery process.
The team initially provided her with fluids, but as there was no improvement in her condition, they decided to take her to an emergency center for a blood transfusion. Annie’s tribe had already grown fond of her within the first few hours of their interaction and were eagerly waiting for her to return so that they could help her recover. Upon her return, the puppy was found to have severe lung damage from anemia, and most of her time was spent in an oxygen chamber. However, the employees at the shelter were a great source of support for her throughout her recovery. They would often sit with her outside when she was not in her chamber, basking in the warm sunlight.
Lochmann shared that they had wanted Annie to have some time outdoors and the experience proved to be enjoyable for her. Spending time with them outside made Annie happy. Her strength progressively improved, which allowed her to be moved out of the clinic and into an area where she could mingle with other animals. She was able to breathe without the need of an oxygen chamber. During her stay there, Annie was able to socialize with other dogs and engage in playful activities with them. Lochmann mentioned that this was when Annie’s true dog-like demeanor surfaced, as she made new friends and enjoyed playing with her newfound companions.