Winters in St. Louis, Missouri, can be quite brutal, with temperatures dropping to the single digits, which is just terrible for stray animals.

That’s where the dedicated team at Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) comes in. They tirelessly comb the city for dogs in distress, especially during those bone-chilling January days.

During one of their searches, they happened to come across an abandoned house. Upon closer inspection, they discovered a little soul left behind, desperately in need of their immediate assistance.

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As SRSL rescuers pulled up to an abandoned house during their search, they expected to find just that – an abandoned house. However, they quickly realized that one soul was left behind in the backyard.

To their disbelief, an adorable dog who obviously was once a family member was left behind chained to a doghouse full of frozen water.

He was curled up on the grass and shivering from the harsh weather. “The cold wind howled and the cold hurt after being outside for just a few moments. The callousness of this act alone gives us chills,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote on Facebook.

Donna Lochmann, one of the compassionate SRSL rescuers, was heartbroken to see this poor dog abandoned in such a manner.

“Why someone felt you deserved to suffer with that huge chain is one of the world’s greatest mysteries. You’re free,” SRSL wrote.

The moment the dog – affectionately named Eskimo Joe – saw the people approaching him, he knew that they were there to rescue him.

He greeted Donna with a wagging tail and pressed his body against her as they used bolt cutters to set him free.

Eskimo Joe had suffered a lot, clinging desperately to life without water and food, but all that hardship was finally in the past because he was on his way to a secure haven, thanks to the compassionate efforts of SRSL.

Donna scooped him up and placed him in her warm Jeep for his freedom ride.“He stared at Donna during his freedom ride and loved the heated seats,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote.

At A Foster Home

Following his liberating journey, Eskimo Joe met the veterinary team from the rescue, who conducted a comprehensive checkup.

Unfortunately, he tested positive for heartworm, but the good news is that it’s a condition easily treatable with the right medication.

The rescue quickly noticed that Eskimo Joe was nothing but a kind and gentle soul, which resulted in him swiftly finding the perfect foster home.His foster mom told SRSL, “He is the most gentle soul I have ever met. He is crate trained, potty trained, and loves to go for walks. He is a polite boy, he sits for food/treats, loves a good chin scratch, and has quickly become a cuddly couch buddy.”

Eskimo Joe already looks completely different from when he was found chained behind the abandoned house.

Although he’s still looking for a forever home, he’s enjoying all the cuddles and love he gets from his wonderful foster family.

I’m sure that he’ll find his family soon.