It was a warm and sunny June morning in St. Louis, Missouri — the kind of day that usually fills the neighborhood with the sound of children playing and lawn mowers humming. But that morning, a few local residents noticed something unusual.
Under the shade of a leafy tree, a brown-and-white dog lay quietly, his eyes scanning the surroundings. At first glance, it seemed like he was simply resting. But when he stood up and tried to move, they realized something was wrong — he was tethered to the tree by a harness and a long rope, unable to go far.
The rope had been wound tightly around the trunk several times, restricting his movement and ensuring he couldn’t run away. He had no bed, no toys, and no source of water — just the hard ground beneath him and the shade overhead.
At first, the neighbors hoped for the best. Perhaps his family had tied him there temporarily and would return soon. They kept a watchful eye on him throughout the morning, even bringing him small snacks to ease his hunger.
By midday, however, their concern grew. They brought him a bowl of water to help him stay hydrated in the summer heat. But as the sun dipped lower in the sky, their hope faded. No one came back for him. That’s when they knew the heartbreaking truth: he had been abandoned.
Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) received the call that evening. Within hours, their rescue team — led by Chief Life Saving Officer Donna Lochmann — was on the scene. The moment they saw him, they were smitten.
“When we laid eyes on this cute guy, we knew we were in love,” SRSL later shared on Instagram. “We named him Beans, and he deserves so much better.”
Beans was only about a year old, still full of energy and curiosity. The sight of such a young dog left tied to a tree with no way to fend for himself was both infuriating and heartbreaking. But for Beans, this moment marked the end of his abandonment and the start of his second chance.
Donna gently untied the rope and coaxed Beans toward the rescue van. His tail wagged nonstop, a visible sign of relief and joy. Once inside, the rescuers showered him with praise, and Beans responded with happy wiggles and bright eyes.
“Your tail is very happy!” Donna told him in a video later shared with SRSL’s followers — a clip that quickly melted hearts online.
Back at the SRSL facility, a thorough veterinary check revealed that Beans was in surprisingly good health. His charming looks — floppy ears, soft white paws, and a pink button nose — instantly won over the staff. They knew it wouldn’t be long before someone else fell for him, too.
Within hours, Beans was matched with a trusted foster family. In his new temporary home, he quickly adapted, soaking up the love and affection he had been missing. His foster family reports that he’s thriving — playful, affectionate, and eager to please.
Now, Beans is waiting for his forever home. His rescuers are confident it won’t be long. After all, as SRSL put it, “It’s impossible not to love him at first sight. We promise you will LOVE him. He’s the best.”