The wind was sharp that January morning in St. Louis, the kind that bites at your skin and makes the air feel heavy.
Beneath the gray sky, a flash of white moved across the frozen landscape — a stray dog running along the train tracks.
His thin frame stood out against the steel rails, and with every step, he seemed to tremble from both fear and cold.
A Cold Morning and a Lone Dog on the Tracks
When rescuers from Stray Rescue of St. Louis arrived, they knew time wasn’t on their side.
A train was due soon, and the temperature had already fallen below freezing. Donna Lochmann, the shelter’s chief life saving officer, spotted the frightened pup pacing above the river. One wrong move and he could easily slip into the icy water below.
Her heart raced as she watched him shiver, unsure which direction to run.
Donna wanted to rush toward him, to scoop him up before danger struck, but safety rules kept her off the tracks. All she could do was wait for a chance — and hope he didn’t make a fatal mistake.
She knelt nearby, calling softly, her voice nearly lost in the sound of the wind. The dog looked back but didn’t move.
His eyes were filled with confusion and exhaustion, as though he’d already given up on being saved.
Then, the faint hum of an approaching train broke the silence.
A Rescue in the Nick of Time
Knowing she couldn’t reach him directly, Donna grabbed a treat from her pocket and tried to coax him closer.
Her breath hung in the air as she called again, this time louder, holding out the food like a promise. The white dog hesitated. Behind him, the rails began to tremble — the train was almost there.
Metro employees working nearby had already noticed what was happening. They quickly radioed the train conductor, urging him to slow down.
Within moments, the massive train began to crawl forward, its engine rumbling low as if aware of the fragile life ahead.
The rescuers shouted, waving their arms, doing everything they could to steer the frightened dog toward safety.
Finally, with everyone’s help, the white dog — later named Laclede — made a desperate leap off the tracks.
Donna rushed in and slipped a leash around his neck. The poor pup was trembling, covered in dirt, and so thin his ribs showed through his matted fur. His body shook not only from the cold but from sheer terror.
The temperature that morning had dropped into single digits. The wind cut through every layer of clothing, and Laclede’s fur was no protection at all.
Donna wrapped him in a blanket and carried him to her Jeep, whispering softly to calm him down. Once inside, she turned on the seat warmers and laid another blanket across him.
For the first time that day, he stopped shaking.
As the warmth spread through the car, Laclede curled into a tight ball on the passenger seat. His breathing slowed.
Within minutes, he was asleep — safe, warm, and finally still. Watching him drift off, Donna felt the weight of relief wash over her. For the first time that morning, she smiled.
From Frozen Tracks to a Hopeful Future
Back at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, the team gently lifted Laclede from the Jeep and carried him into the clinic.
The veterinarians moved quickly, checking his temperature, his heart, and every inch of his fragile frame. Despite the harsh conditions he’d endured, he was surprisingly healthy — just malnourished, exhausted, and filthy.
He was given food, a warm bath, and a quiet space to rest. When the water ran over his fur, the gray streaks of dirt washed away, revealing a bright white coat underneath.
Afterward, Laclede stood shaking off the droplets, his tail beginning to wag for the first time. It was a small, tentative movement, but it was enough to make everyone in the room cheer.
Over the next few days, the change in him was remarkable.
He began eating eagerly, greeting volunteers with cautious tail wags and curious eyes. The staff noticed that once he felt safe, his playful side emerged. He would bounce around the room, nudging toys with his nose or curling up next to whoever sat close by.
The dog who had once been moments from death was learning what it meant to live again.
Weeks passed, and Laclede became one of the shelter’s favorites. His joyful spirit seemed to lift everyone’s mood. He loved car rides, belly rubs, and long naps in the sun.
Each day, more visitors came to meet him — and each one left with the same impression. Laclede wasn’t just a survivor; he was a symbol of resilience.
Though he still waits for a forever home, the people who saved him know his perfect family is out there somewhere.
They imagine him lying on a warm rug beside a fireplace or running through a backyard, no longer afraid of the sound of trains. The thought keeps them going.
“Man, we love this dog,” the rescue team often says. And they mean it. Laclede’s story is a reminder of how quickly life can change — how one moment of courage, one small act of compassion, can turn a tragedy into a miracle.
From a freezing track beside the river to a shelter full of warmth and care, Laclede has already come farther than anyone could have imagined.
Now, all that’s left is for someone to see in him what the rescuers saw that cold January morning — a brave, gentle soul who just needed one chance to be saved. You can contact them HERE for adoption requirement.