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Welcoming a dog into the family is a big responsibility and commitment, one that many people aren’t cut out for.

All too often, dogs are dumped at overcrowded shelters the moment they’re no longer puppies or when they misbehave from poor training. Others find excuses to abandon their pets, like because they’re moving into a new space or having a baby.

It’s a sad reality many dogs face, but being dumped at a shelter is actually one of the best things that can happen to them. Some unwanted dogs aren’t so lucky, and end up dumped somewhere like garbage.

Photo: flickr/Navaneeth Kishor

For a dog in Saint Louis, his previous owners quite literally took him out with the trash. The poor dog was left in frigid winter weather chained to a dumpster.

For days, the dog sat with piles of trash, waiting and hoping that someone might come along to help, and thankfully, that’s exactly what happened.

Photo: YouTube/Stray Rescue of St.Louis Official

When rescuers with Stray Rescue of Saint Louis heard about the pup, they immediately drove to rescue him.

“We’re told she was tied to this dumpster for THREE days, out in the rain and below freezing nights,” the rescue shared in the video’s description.

Photo: YouTube/Stray Rescue of St.Louis Official
Photo: YouTube/Stray Rescue of St.Louis Official

Thankfully, they were able to get her to safety and she was so grateful. She’ll never have to worry about being abandoned again.

Watch the rescue video below:

This article was originally published on The Animal Rescue Site.