“[She] wouldn’t leave her side”
Earlier this week, a concerned St. Louis resident named Connor Bailey made an emotional post in a local lost-and-found pet group on Facebook. He’d come across a black dog lying injured along the shoulder of a busy highway—and heartbreakingly, she wasn’t alone.
“[She] has a gray and white pit bull friend with her, wearing a collar but no tags,” Bailey shared in his post.
The message quickly caught the attention of Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL), who immediately dispatched a rescue team to the scene. When they arrived, they found the black dog stretched out on the rumble strips, likely the victim of a vehicle collision. By her side was a faithful companion who refused to leave.
“Her friend wouldn’t budge—she stayed right beside her,” SRSL posted later.
Although SRSL handles rescues every day, something about this situation struck a deeper chord. Despite their circumstances, both dogs appeared well-groomed and healthy, suggesting they were much-loved pets who had recently gone missing.
“These two were clearly cared for,” SRSL noted. “Aside from the accident, they were in great condition—we just knew someone out there must be missing them.”
The team gently lifted the injured pup—whom they named Hope—into their vehicle, while her steadfast friend, now named Diamond, followed close behind. At SRSL’s veterinary clinic, Hope underwent a thorough examination. Fortunately, her injuries were not as serious as feared.
“She’s going to be just fine,” SRSL confirmed. “No broken bones—just some stitches on her leg.”
Thanks to the swift intervention, Hope began recovering almost immediately. When staff scanned both dogs for microchips, they were relieved to find them—but disappointed to discover the contact details were outdated.
Still, SRSL refused to give up. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, the dogs’ frantic owners had been searching everywhere for their missing pets. A connection was finally made through Facebook, and when the couple learned their dogs were safe, they raced to the shelter.
“They were beside themselves with relief,” SRSL shared. “They’d been searching nonstop.”
The reunion was joyful and emotional. The couple was stunned to learn their dogs had been discovered over a mile from their home, making their safe return all the more miraculous.
“They’re just the kindest, most devoted pet parents,” SRSL said. “It was a beautiful reunion to witness.”
After updating the microchip information to prevent future mishaps, the team sent Diamond home with her family. Hope needed a little more time to rest after her medical procedure, but was reunited with her people later that same evening.
With their beloved pets safely home again, the family is once more whole. For the rescuers at SRSL, it’s moments like this that make their work truly meaningful.
“We’re just overjoyed to see them back where they belong,” SRSL said. “There’s nothing better than a happy ending.”