In a quiet neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, a chilling scene unfolded last week—one that rescuers say they’ll never forget. At an old, abandoned school, a dog had been tied to a fence and left behind. Alone. Starving. Nearly out of time.
There’s no way to know how long the young pup had been there. She was dangerously emaciated, her ribs protruding under matted fur, too weak to bark, too tired to cry. Yet despite the neglect, she had not given up hope.
“It’s a miracle someone even saw her,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote in a Facebook post after the rescue. The passerby’s decision to look twice—and call animal control—may have saved her life.
A Rush Against Time to Save Her
When animal control officers arrived, they immediately realized the situation was dire. The dog—later named Levey—was on the brink of collapse. She could barely lift her head, and her body showed signs of severe malnutrition.
She was rushed to Stray Rescue of St. Louis, where the shelter’s onsite clinic team prepared for emergency treatment. For many rescues, this is the most dangerous stage. Giving too much food too soon could trigger refeeding syndrome, a life-threatening condition where the body can’t handle a sudden influx of nutrition.
“She was weak and all bones, but she trusted us,” said Natalie Thomson, Chief Communications Officer at the rescue told The Dodo. “She just wanted to cuddle.”
Even in such a vulnerable state, Levey’s tail gave soft wags. Her eyes met her caretakers with something more powerful than fear—hope.
A Gentle Recovery, and a New Reason to Smile
Levey’s caretakers fed her slowly and carefully, watching her round out day by day. With each passing hour, she grew stronger—not just physically, but emotionally, too.
Then something remarkable happened.
She met Alaric, another dog rescued in nearly identical condition. He, too, had been starving when he was brought in. Their bond was immediate. What began as gentle curiosity became uncontainable joy. The two now wrestle, snuggle, and play like lifelong friends.
“They have similar play styles and just wanted to wrestle now that they both are feeling more energetic than they have in a long, long time,” Thomson said.
It’s as if they recognized each other’s pain—and found healing in their shared survival.
Not Quite Ready for Adoption—But Ready for Love
Levey’s story is far from over. While she’s put on healthy weight and found companionship, she still needs time before she can be spayed and adopted. For now, she’s looking for a loving foster family who can support her final steps toward a full recovery.
The rescue team says Levey has blossomed into a happy, affectionate dog who thrives on love, toys, and canine friendship.
“Levey’s personality is amazing,” said Thomson. “She is so grateful for love and affection. All she wants to do is play.”
The team hopes her next miracle will come soon—a warm foster home where she can rest, grow, and get ready for the forever family she’s always deserved.
“[She’s] ready for the fun part … to be fattened up!” Stray Rescue wrote, ending their post on a hopeful note.
For Levey, the nightmare is over. The leash once used to abandon her now symbolizes a second chance—one filled with love, trust, and healing.
