Cars roared past on a busy St. Louis highway, but amid the noise and blur of traffic, something small and trembling caught the rescuers’ eyes.
Earlier this month, the Stray Rescue of St. Louis hotline was flooded with calls — drivers had spotted a terrified black dog crouched dangerously close to the road. Fearing the worst, two seasoned rescuers, Donna and Kristen, jumped into their van and sped off to help.
As they scanned the shoulder, their hearts sank. There, in the tall grass, was the dog — frozen in fear, shaking uncontrollably every time a truck thundered by.
“[He] was shaking like a leaf as big trucks passed by at high speeds,” a spokesperson for Stray Rescue of St. Louis told The Dodo.
Donna and Kristen pulled over and slowly approached, speaking softly so as not to startle him. For a moment, the frightened pup hesitated — unsure whether to run or stay. Then, in a quiet act of faith, he chose to trust them.
“He didn’t know what to do, so he decided to trust us and let us help him,” the rescue said.
Safely back at the shelter, the team named him Jet, fitting for a pup found beside speeding traffic. Though Jet was finally safe, the noise and chaos of the shelter proved overwhelming for his fragile spirit. So rescuers arranged a calm foster home where he could truly start to heal.
And that’s when Jet began to blossom.
“Jet is doing great!” the rescue shared. “He has wonderful house manners, loves to play — and loves to cuddle even more.”
Now comfortable, happy, and full of affection, Jet is ready for the next chapter: a forever family. He’s gentle, loves both people and other dogs, and would thrive in either an apartment or a home with a yard — anywhere he can finally feel safe and loved.
With a little luck, Jet’s days of shaking beside highways are behind him forever.
If you’d like to open your heart to Jet, visit the Stray Rescue of St. Louis website for adoption details. Or, to help save other dogs like him, consider making a donation to support their life-changing work.
