Illinois Dog Found Wandering Streets For Days With A Bucket Stuck On His Head
One day, the team at Gateway Pet Guardians in St. Louis, Illinois, received a call about a stray dog in urgent need of help.
The poor pup had a purple bucket stuck tightly over his head, and the situation was far more serious than anyone first realized.
Rescuers had already been trying to catch the elusive dog for several days. He had been spotted wandering the area more than once, but each time someone got close, he bolted before they could reach him.
Then came the day when his hunger led him into real danger. The stray stumbled upon a cheeseball bucket and couldn’t resist.
Desperation drove him to stick his head inside, but once he did, the container became firmly stuck.
With his vision blocked and his breathing restricted, it was no longer a simple inconvenience. The rescuers knew his life was at risk, and helping him had become a true emergency.
The dog’s condition was dire, and every hour mattered. Yet fear kept him from allowing anyone close, no matter how gently the rescuers approached.
Days went by, and still he evaded capture. Then, a concerned local shared a photo and the exact spot where the pup had last been seen.
The team rushed to the location with renewed hope, but once again, the frightened dog managed to slip through their grasp.
It wasn’t until the following morning, when a group from Stray Rescue of St. Louis joined the effort, and they finally managed to get within reach.
But even then, the frightened pup bolted before anyone could grab him, too wary of humans to accept the help he desperately needed.
By this point, the rescuers understood there was no time to waste. He couldn’t keep running like this, and his overwhelming fear was putting his life in even greater danger.
So, with no other choice, the rescuers used a sedative dart to slow him down enough to get him safe, as they shared in a Facebook post:
“We sent a team of staff out, including one of our veterinarians armed with a dart shooting apparatus with a mild tranquilizer. We weren’t going “home” without him!”
And at last, their persistence paid off. After so many failed tries, they managed to catch him, and the bucket slipped right off his head.
The poor dog had been stuck like that for three or four days, unable to eat or drink anything. Any longer, and the outcome could have been tragic.
Yet against the odds, the little survivor – now affectionately called Buckethead – was still holding on.
At first, Buckethead was terrified, probably because of everything he’d been through. But once he realized he was safe, his whole personality started to shine, as the shelter shared:
“Once the tranq wore off, and he realized the bucket was gone and there was fresh food and water available, he was a much happier boy.”
The once-frightened pup transformed into a complete sweetheart. Considering all he had endured, it was amazing how quickly he learned to trust and let his loving nature shine through.
Before long, he became a favorite among the staff, happily dishing out kisses and showing his gentle, affectionate side.
His friendly, easygoing personality made him a perfect companion, and he blended right in with the other dogs as if he had always belonged.
Buckethead, once terrified of everything around him, has now blossomed into a dog ready to love and trust again.
The shelter staff are optimistic that the perfect family will come along to give him the forever home he’s been waiting for.
He’s already proven how far he can come, turning a painful beginning into a story of survival. With his gentle heart and resilient spirit, he’s just waiting to share his love with someone fortunate enough to welcome him into their life.
