Rescuers at Gateway Pet Guardians (GPG) have seen plenty of tricky situations, but one determined stray in East St. Louis recently gave them one of their most challenging cases yet.
The brown dog had been on GPG’s radar for a while, always managing to slip away before they could catch him. But during the week of Valentine’s Day, he made one mistake — a very cheesy one.
Drawn in by an empty tub of cheeseballs, the hungry pup stuck his head inside, only to find it completely stuck. The purple bucket covered his head entirely, leaving him unable to eat, drink, or see properly.
The phone lines at GPG lit up with reports of the “dog with the bucket head” wandering the streets. The team knew he was in serious danger from starvation, dehydration, and even suffocation — but they also knew catching him wouldn’t be easy.
“Despite multiple search efforts, the elusive pup evaded capture until a concerned citizen sent a photo and location update on February 13,” GPG shared in a press release. “Although GPG responders located him that same day, he ran off again. The next morning, with help from Stray Rescue of St. Louis, he still managed to escape.”
Time was running out for the stray, now nicknamed Buckethead. His fear of people kept him from accepting help, so the team made the tough call to use a light sedative dart. It slowed him just enough for rescuers to finally slip a leash over his neck — and with one quick pop, the bucket was off.
“We don’t know for sure how long he’d been struggling, but we believe it was at least three to four days without food or water,” said Alisha Vianello, GPG’s executive director. “Any longer, and the outcome could have been tragic.”
Once safe at the shelter, Buckethead’s transformation was almost instant. The once-frightened stray quickly warmed up to people, wagging his tail, offering kisses, and happily accepting treats.
“He loves people, loves to snuggle, and is great with other dogs,” Vianello told The Dodo. “He’s such a good boy.”
Without a microchip, it’s unclear whether Buckethead had a family before his cheeseball misadventure. But one thing is certain — this resilient, sweet-faced pup is ready to start a new life, and GPG hopes the perfect adopter is just around the corner.
“He was so scared when he was on the run, but now he knows people are his friends,” Vianello said. “He’ll make an excellent family pet. I just adore him.”
Buckethead is now safe, loved, and waiting for a home — no bucket required.
If you are interested in adopting Buckethead, check out Gateway Pet Guardians' website. To help other dogs like Buckethead get the help they need, you can make a donation to Gateway Pet Guardians here.
