On what seemed like a quiet afternoon shift, police officers in St. Louis stumbled upon a distressing sight. A dog, later named Joy Bird, lay injured by the side of the road, having been hit by a car. Despite her evident pain and fear, no one had stopped to help her.
The officers immediately sprang into action. They created a protective barrier around her, preventing further harm from oncoming traffic. Soon, volunteers from Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) arrived. The sight of Joy Bird's trusting eyes and wagging tail spurred them into action. Despite not knowing the full extent of her injuries, they assured both the officers and Joy Bird that she would receive the best care possible.
Carefully, the team lifted Joy Bird and transported her to SRSL’s veterinary clinic. There, a dedicated medical team assessed her injuries, discovering a broken hip but thankfully no life-threatening conditions. SRSL shared on Facebook, “It is going to take her time to heal with lots of crate rest, but she should be able to make a full recovery in time.”
Joy Bird’s surgery was scheduled promptly, and the resilient pup settled in for a night of rest. By the next morning, her eyes had softened, and she seemed to understand she was finally in a safe place. The surgery went smoothly, and though Joy Bird faced a period of temporary paralysis, her spirit remained unbroken.
The SRSL team made sure Joy Bird's recovery was as smooth as possible, even putting her in a stroller so she could enjoy walks and sunshine. Their updates on Facebook captured the hearts of many: “She loves going out in her stroller and feeling the sun,” they wrote. “[She’s] such a sweet girl.”
Just a few weeks after her surgery, Joy Bird was ready to move to a foster home. She found a loving foster family where she continued to thrive. While she still awaits her forever home, Joy Bird is surrounded by love and care, proving her name to be perfect for her joyful and resilient spirit.
SRSL continues to share updates on Joy Bird, celebrating each milestone in her recovery. “We didn’t realize we gave her the perfect name when we rescued her off the side of the road,” they wrote. “She is such an angel.”
As Joy Bird continues to heal and search for her forever family, her story serves as a reminder of the resilience of animals and the profound difference that acts of kindness can make.
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