Cobalt’s Second Chance
On Wednesday, a promise was made to Cobalt — a promise of safety, love, and a future far brighter than his past. Rescuers from Stray Rescue of St. Louis are determined to keep that promise, sweeping away the pain and cruelty that marked his earlier days.
Cobalt was found alone in a rural area of Missouri, his cries of pain carrying through the fields. The Good Samaritans who discovered him feared the worst — it looked like he had been shot in the back of his neck. Without hesitation, they knew they had to act quickly.
They gently lifted his fragile body, placed him in their car, and drove to meet Stray Rescue halfway in Farmington, nearly two hours from St. Louis. Every minute mattered — Cobalt was in desperate need of emergency care.
Upon arrival at their partner veterinary clinic, his condition told a heartbreaking story. He was exhausted, too weak to stand for long, but still grateful for gentle hands. Despite the pain, he allowed the veterinarians to clean his wounds, remove maggots, and give him medication for relief.
A closer examination revealed the truth:
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Fresh wounds on the back of his head, containing shrapnel — clear evidence he had been shot recently.
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Older, festering injuries on the front of his head, likely from dog bites.
Rescuers speculate that Cobalt, injured and desperate, may have wandered onto someone’s property seeking help. Instead of receiving compassion, someone may have tried to “put him out of his misery” — and missed.
Yet even in his suffering, Cobalt refused to give up. He found the strength to seek out people who could save him.
That night, Cobalt slept without fear — perhaps for the first time in months. No one chasing him. No one trying to harm him. Just a warm bed and safety. By morning, he stood up and devoured his entire breakfast. The simple joy of a full meal and rest brought light back into his eyes.
Later today, he will be sedated so veterinarians can more thoroughly assess the bullet wound. His road to recovery will be long, but Cobalt’s resilience — and the compassion of those who stepped in to help — are powerful signs that his best days are still ahead.
Because after every storm, the sun does rise again. And for Cobalt, that sunrise has already begun.