Some narratives leave us with a heart in pieces, and Halia’s tale is undoubtedly one of those.
This unfortunate dog endured days alone, hoping for a gentle soul to come her way.
When a compassionate passerby finally discovered Halia, she was at her lowest ebb. She lay amidst water and rubbish, barely able to move. What she longed for in those dire moments were kind words, a touch of empathy, and a companion.
And within hours, she was showered with love!
Halia’s Heartbreaking Journey
Donna Lochmann, a veteran rescuer and Chief Life-Saving Officer at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, received a call regarding Halia and quickly sprang into action.
Throughout her years of service, Donna has encountered numerous challenging scenarios, but seeing Halia resting in trash utterly stunned her and her team. Instantly, her heart shattered for this vulnerable creature.
Halia’s hind legs were entirely paralyzed, and she could only manage to move her head.
The team surmised that she had been hit by a vehicle and had dragged herself away from the road, eventually ending up beneath some bushes, where she remained hungry until the rescuers arrived.
Donna and her team approached Halia cautiously. She displayed clear signs of trauma and was fearful of being hurt again, so they took their time to build her trust.
After a while, Donna gently wrapped her in a warm blanket and placed her in the vehicle.
“You Are So Beautiful, We Love You”
The team swiftly transported her to their center, dried her off, and wrapped her in soft blankets. She was shivering from the cold, and they ensured she felt warmth.
Next, they provided a small amount of food to prevent refeeding syndrome.
It was at the shelter that this lovely girl received her name – Halia. She reminded everyone of their late dog, Harris, and her name became a tribute to that cherished memory.
The team conducted a comprehensive veterinary assessment on Halia.
An X-ray was performed to determine the reason for her paralysis, but they were unable to find a definitive cause. Besides her back injuries, no evident reason explained her lack of sensation in her back legs.
The following morning, Halia seemed to gather enough strength to lift her head and offer a gentle smile. For the first time since her rescue, she filled the facility with hope as her spirit appeared to revive.
The team even took her outside to bask in the sunlight and treated her to a delightful ride in a wagon, which she appeared to relish.
Sadly, on the third day, Halia took a turn for the worse. She could no longer lift her head nor eat, and her strength diminished considerably. That same day, Halia succumbed in her battle.
Her rescuers were heartbroken, yet they treasured the tender moments they shared with her.
They made sure to comfort her in her final moments with the kindest words: “We are so sorry. You are so beautiful. We love you,” as shared by the SRSL team.
Halia peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge, her last thoughts filled with the warmth of love from her friends around her. Rest in peace, sweet girl. Your spirit will always live on in our hearts!
