Rescuing stray animals is never an easy task, and Donna Lochmann from Stray Rescue of St. Louis, Missouri, knows this all too well after more than 20 years of doing it.
She’s used to taking her time gaining the trust of animals who have been betrayed by humans, but a terrified Pit Bull named Cutie Pie was a different story.
This scared street dog transformed into a loving sweetheart in just a few minutes, melting hearts everywhere.
From Fearful to Affectionate
On Valentine’s Day, Donna received a call about a frightened dog seen wandering around an industrial area.
When Donna arrived, she saw a wary dog peeking around the corner of a building. As she approached slowly, the dog tried to run but found herself trapped between the building and a fence.
“She was clearly looking for a way out, and when she couldn’t, she gave a couple of scared barks,” Donna told The Dodo.
Donna had seen many frightened street dogs, but this one’s reaction was unique. The dog crouched down, tail tucked between her legs, terrified.
Gaining Trust
Understanding her fear, Donna began speaking softly to calm the dog. She knelt down to appear less threatening and tossed over a sausage.
The dog hesitated but ate it. Donna threw another piece, expecting the same result, but something unexpected happened.
The dog, rather than going for the food, walked directly up to Donna, nuzzling her head into Donna’s shirt. Then, she rolled over on her back, looking up as if seeking comfort.
Donna, a seasoned rescuer, was surprised by this display of trust. “She just melted in my arms,” she recalled, “as if she was saying, ‘Thank you.’”
A New Beginning
Donna named the dog Cutie Pie and took her back to the Stray Rescue of St. Louis facility. There, Cutie Pie received a bath, food, and a thorough vet checkup.
Everyone at the rescue fell in love with her.
She blossomed almost immediately with just a bit of care and attention. Her transformation was incredible—she was no longer the scared dog from the streets, but a joyful, loving soul.
A Happy Life Ahead
Cutie Pie soon moved to a foster home, where she continued to thrive.
“She curls up in her bed and even in her foster dog brother’s bed. She loves zooming around the yard with the biggest, sweetest smile. She’s truly one special soul with infectious joy,” the rescue shared on Facebook.
After all she had been through, Cutie Pie was finally surrounded by the love she deserved.