Engaging in a game of hide and seek can be a thrilling experience, but sometimes the stakes are much higher than just a fun game. For a lonely and frightened pup, the woods became a refuge from a world that had seemed harsh and unfriendly. Thankfully, a compassionate individual stepped in to show her that kindness and goodness still existed in the world.
Despite their best efforts, locating the pup proved to be a challenging task for the rescuer. Donna Lochmann, SRSL’s chief lifesaving officer, shared, ““Initially, she eluded me. But I returned the following day and, to my relief, discovered her still concealed in the undergrowth.”
Fergie, the terrified pup, was understandably wary of her rescuer. Having survived all alone in the wilderness for so long, she was instinctively cautious of anyone who approached her. Growling in warning, she made it clear that she was not ready to trust easily. However, Donna, with her expertise and understanding, sensed that there was more to Fergie’s behavior.
The mission to rescue Fergie from her hiding place in the woods had only just begun.
In addition to being injured, this unfortunate dog was also entangled in vines and dense foliage. Donna quickly realized that using a slip lead to catch Fergie around her neck was not the most effective plan.
Fortunately, Donna had a clever solution in mind. Instead of forcibly capturing Fergie, she decided to give her some space, hoping that she would wander into the trap on her own.
When Donna returned later to check on Fergie, she was surprised by what she found. Not only was the bait untouched and the trap empty, but Fergie was nowhere to be seen in the woods. She had ventured out to an abandoned house nearby.
Taking a seat next to the house’s foundation, Fergie continued to eye Donna warily, showing she still wasn’t convinced. Donna, however, remained determined and refused to give up. Realizing that Fergie couldn’t be simply caught but needed to be won over, Donna adopted a new strategy. She knelt down and spoke to Fergie in a soothing tone, reassuring her that she meant no harm. This time, Fergie didn’t try to bolt away. Slowly edging closer, Donna tossed a leash towards Fergie, demonstrating it was harmless. Surprisingly, Fergie didn’t resist when Donna gently placed the leash around her neck. Exhausted from her time alone, Fergie seemed to surrender to Donna’s efforts. Donna was thrilled to have earned Fergie’s trust and wasted no time in taking her to the vet. After a thorough examination, it was determined that Fergie would need to have her leg amputated due to a shoulder injury and had also tested positive for parvo.
