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There was nothing that could come between Heart and her beloved friend Soul. The two dogs had been abandoned together on the side of a busy highway, left to fend for themselves. With no one to care for them, they relied on each other for warmth, companionship, and safety.
When tragedy struck and Soul was seriously hurt in an accident, Heart stayed fiercely by his side, refusing to let anyone near without her approval.
Protecting Her Friend With Everything She Had
“She was barking at people and being protective,” said Donna Lochmann, chief lifesaving officer at Stray Rescue of St. Louis. “She wasn’t being aggressive, but she was letting people know that that was her friend, he was hurt and she was keeping an eye on him.”
Lochmann came across the scene on her way to the shelter and instantly stopped to help. She gently leashed Heart and secured her in the front seat of her Jeep before wrapping Soul in a blanket and carefully placing him in the back. Even as she rode in the front seat, Heart never took her eyes off Soul.
At the shelter, she continued to keep close watch over him. “She watched and would kind of keep an eye on the vet,” Lochmann recalled.
A Painful Goodbye
Once X-rays were completed, the veterinary team discovered that Soul’s injuries were far more extensive than initially believed. Sadly, there was nothing more they could do. The team brought Heart back into the room so she could be with Soul in his final moments.
“She laid with her head on him, like she was hugging him goodbye,” Lochmann said. “As he went peacefully, she was right there.”
Heart refused to leave her best friend’s side, her sorrow felt deeply by everyone in the room.
Keeping Soul Close, Always
After Soul passed, the shelter team knew they had to do something special to honor their bond. Heart was given a quiet space to rest and recover, and staff gently bathed her before giving her a heartfelt tribute to keep with her forever.
“We knew that we wanted him to be with her, so we got a little charm that you can open up and put ashes in,” said Lochmann. “We put some of his ashes in that and attached it to her collar.”
The charm even includes a small golden wing—a symbol of Soul watching over her.
On the Path to Healing
Soon after, Heart left the shelter and moved into a loving foster home. Although the staff miss having her around, they’re grateful to know she’s receiving the care and affection she deserves.
“She’s doing well and enjoying being with the people in her foster home,” Lochmann shared. “She’s getting plenty of love.”
Heart is still looking for a forever family, and when the time comes, Soul will be going with her in spirit. “The little charm we got her only holds a few ashes,” said Lochmann. “We’ll make sure that the rest of his ashes go with her as well.” Along with Soul’s pawprint, his memory will forever remain close to Heart, no matter where life takes her.
UPDATE: According to Stray Rescue of St. Louis, Heart has found her forever family. Here’s what the press release said:
“Heart is adopted! Look what her new family wrote about her. Of all the people in the world, it looks like she found the most perfect fit.
Heart is doing wonderfully! I followed her story, which was what drew me to her. Before adopting Heart, we had to put to rest our girl Cheyenne. Our hearts and our male dog, Bo’s, heart were shattered. Bo stopped eating, wouldn’t play with his toys and barely got up out of his bed. He was missing his best friend, as were we. When I saw Heart’s story, that she had just lost her companion, I knew she would be a perfect fit for our family. We could help heal each others hearts.
We got her a new dog collar that has multi colored hearts all over it. Of course, her special angel wing dog tag that holds Soul’s ashes is attached and will always be with her.
I purchased a memorial dog plaque and this summer I’m planting a rose garden in in our backyard, I would love nothing more to bury Soul’s ashes along with Cheyenne’s. Together they can watch over both Bo and Heart.
Heart loves doing zoomies in the backyard, playing with squeaky toys with Bo, and cuddling with her hoomans. It’s just my husband and I, but our grandsons come over on the weekends and she absolutely adores the kids, she is so gentle with them. She is also so smart. In just one weeks’ time, she has learned how to sit, stay, shake and take treats gently. She is the perfect addition to our family!”
Click play below to see Heart and Soul’s moving story
