“It was beyond our wildest expectations.”
The Missouri Stream Teams cleanup crew in Jefferson City has a knack for uncovering treasures amidst the trash. Over the years, they’ve stumbled upon everything from mannequins to money. But this past March, their discovery left them stunned.
“Until earlier this year, our life-saving efforts were mainly about cutting open plastic bottles and freeing trapped wildlife,” the group shared in a Facebook post. “But what we found this time went far beyond anything we could have imagined.”
Initially, the crew mistook the fuzzy lump for a discarded stuffed animal. However, upon closer inspection, the truth became clear.
“What appeared to be a closed bag of plush toys turned out to be a trembling, cold, thirsty, and hungry puppy,” the team wrote. They immediately sprang into action.
“I put my hand on it and realized it was warm—it was alive,” Brian Waldrop, a Stream Teams coordination biologist, told The Dodo. “I cradled it, held it close, and said, ‘Oh, bless you.’ I felt so fortunate to have found this little one.”
Despite his ordeal, the puppy showed no hesitation in trusting his rescuers.
“He was so calm and gentle,” Waldrop said. “[He had] such a sweet, kind demeanor.”
Waldrop quickly set about ensuring the puppy received the care he needed: food, water, shelter, veterinary attention, and a much-needed bath.
“We got him to a warm place and gave him some water,” Waldrop explained. “Then I called my girlfriend and said, ‘Get the kitchen sink ready—I’m bringing something home.’”
With a little tender loving care, the puppy, later named Dude, began to flourish. His dusty coat soon revealed a brilliant white shine.
Before long, fate stepped in again. Waldrop discovered that his neighbor had been searching for a pet.
“He said, ‘It’s my birthday, and I’ve always wanted a white dog,’ not knowing I had just rescued one,” Waldrop recalled.
Now, Dude lives happily with his new owner, and Waldrop visits often to see the pup, who has grown into a joyous, 60-pound bundle of love.
“He’s such a big, warm, gentle soul,” Waldrop said.
Reflecting on the work of his team, Waldrop expressed his gratitude.
“I can’t thank my volunteers enough for their dedication to cleaning up the streams,” he said. “Every now and then, you find something truly special in the trash.”