It's heartbreaking to see how often heartless owners abandon their dogs in unsafe places.

These dogs are left on their own, clinging to the hope that somehow their families will come back for them.

Heart and Soul, two inseparable pals, faced this harsh reality when they were left near a busy highway.

Betrayed by the ones they loved, they found solace in each other's company.

Help Is On The Way

Tragedy struck when Soul was hit by a car on the highway in St. Louis.

Heart, seeing her dear friend injured, began barking out of concern.

Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis

A crowd started to gather, and it was then that Donna Lochmann, the chief lifesaving officer at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, drove by.

She was on her way to the shelter when she noticed the commotion and stopped to help the dogs.

Heart's barks grew louder and more urgent.

"She was barking at people and being protective. She wasn't being aggressive, but she was letting people know that that was her friend, he was hurt and she was keeping an eye on him," Lochmann explained.

Lochmann managed to leash Heart and lead her to her car.

Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis

After securing Heart, she carefully picked up Soul and placed him in the back of her vehicle.

As they headed to the shelter, Heart kept a watchful eye on her injured friend.

Saying Goodbye

Once at the shelter, Heart wouldn’t leave Soul's side.

"She watched and would kind of keep an eye on the vet," Lochmann recalled.

Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis

Sadly, the X-rays revealed that Soul's injuries were much worse than initially feared.

The shelter staff and veterinarians were devastated to realize there was nothing more they could do for him.

They allowed Heart to be with Soul in his final moments.

When Heart entered the room and saw Soul, it seemed as though she understood the gravity of the situation.

"She laid with her head on him, like she was hugging him goodbye. As he went peacefully, she was right there," Lochmann described.

The scene of Heart saying farewell to Soul deeply affected all the shelter staff.

They committed themselves to do all they could to support Heart through her sorrow.

Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis

Her caregivers gave her a comforting bath, allowed her some quiet time, and showered her with affection.

Soulmates Will Always Be Together

Touched by the profound bond between Heart and Soul, the shelter staff found a way to keep them connected.

They attached a pendant containing Soul’s ashes to Heart’s collar, which also featured a golden wing symbolizing Soul watching over her.

Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis

He would be her guardian angel from above.

Heart soon left the shelter for foster care.

Her foster family understood her loss and enveloped her in love and care.

Heart Starts A New Life

On January 31, 2023, it was announced that Heart had found her forever home.

Her story struck a chord with her new family, who had experienced a similar loss when their dog, Cheyenne, passed away.

Source: Stray Rescue of St. Louis

They were immediately drawn to Heart, feeling she was the right fit for them.

The family dog, Bo, was quick to welcome Heart into their home, empathizing with her loss as he had also recently lost a friend.

Heart’s new parents felt she was destined to be with them, helping to heal each other’s emotional wounds.

They cherished her deeply, and Bo became Heart’s steadfast friend. Together, they enjoyed spending time with the family’s grandsons.

Heart now lives a joyful life, loving cuddles and playful zoomies with her family.

She carries the memory of her dear friend Soul, always wearing the pendant with his ashes on her collar.