A two-year-old boxer mix named Freon had an uncertain start when Donna Lochmann found him at the top of a staircase. Having been isolated for almost two weeks, this was his first interaction with anyone in a while.
Lochmann first discovered Freon through a phone call from a nearby landlord who had found an abandoned dog in one of his properties.
The landlord explained to the shelter team that Freon’s previous owners had left him tied up in a stairwell after moving into a pet-free residence. Upon hearing this, Lochmann immediately drove to the location to help.
Upon arrival, Lochmann entered the foyer, where she suspected Freon was hiding. “I saw him curled up on one of the landings when I pried the door open,” Lochmann, the lead rescuer, recalled.
Freon had been surviving alone on the stairs for nearly two weeks, managing to endure thanks to food bowls and a source of water that helped him stay cool in the summer heat.
As Lochmann approached the shy dog, she was surprised by his docility. Freon allowed her to put a leash on him without resistance.
Lochmann mentioned that he was initially reluctant to follow her but was coaxed outside with the help of some Vienna sausages.
Once Freon was in the vehicle, he did something unexpected that captured Lochmann’s attention. He moved to the front and put his face on the air conditioner vents, evidently enjoying the cool air.
Lochmann decided to name him Freon, after the substance used in air conditioning.
Freon was taken to a shelter, where he quickly endeared himself to everyone. Despite his previous hardships, Freon remained friendly even during his medical treatments.
A Facebook post from the shelter remarked on his unusually amiable nature, noting no other dog had behaved quite like him.
After receiving the necessary medical care, Freon was soon ready for adoption. His adoption listing didn’t last long as he found a loving family right away. “He now has his forever family and a canine sibling to keep him company,” Lochmann shared.
With his difficult past behind him, Freon is flourishing in his new home, much to the happiness of Stray Rescue of St. Louis. The shelter announced his adoption with a heartfelt message: “We adore you, friend. There’s no going back.”
