Title: Snowdrop

Artist: Hannah Maria Mendenhall

Medium: Linecut

Dimensions: 14" x 18" framed

Animal Depicted: Snowdrop

In January 2025, Stray Rescue was hit with a few very sad cases within days of each other, and one of them was Snowdrop. She was brought to us after being seized from a hoarding situation in rural Missouri. She was transported in her crate, and when we opened it up, we were horrified to see this 2-year-old girl with huge swollen legs, open wounds exposing the bone, pressure sores, urine burns, and infection attacking the joints in her back legs. She smelled terribly of rotting infection, and she did not have the strength to move. She had just about given up, and we couldn't blame her. We needed to stabilize her and get her infections under control before we could do anything else, so gave her fluids, antibiotics, pain medication, and a urinary catheter. She spent several weeks living in the clinic getting the best care around. The veterinary team was able to monitor her wounds, take her outside in the stroller for some fresh air, and help acclimate her to being around people that loved her and would not hurt her. She was shy and fearful, but very slowly, she started coming around and her personality started peaking through.

Snowdrop did have to go through a special kind of hindlimb amputation called a "coxofemoral amputation" because, in addition to a severely infected and necrotic right hock joint, she also had a hip luxation on the same side. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and she recovered quickly. In March, our friends over at Joey's PAW sent us a custom wheelchair for her, and she could finally zoom around all on her own! She even got to attend a local high school's Special Olympics day as the guest of honor with one of our volunteers, and she had the BEST day ever! Just days later, her forever family saw her story and knew they had to come meet her. It was love at first sight. Snowdrop finally gets to live the life she so deserves with a mom, a dad, and a furry sister who she immediately adored. Snowdrop's story was devastating to say the least, but she will never have to relive even a second of her past ever again!

Why did we name her Snowdrop?
Snowdrops hold a deep and enduring meaning, symbolizing new beginnings, hope, rebirth, and the capacity to triumph over challenges. As one of the first flowers to herald the arrival of spring, they're not just a sign of the changing seasons but also a beacon of positivity.

Status: Adopted

Shipping Available:

*If you are the winning bidder and are not in attendance to pick up your item(s) the night of the event at the Four Seasons Hotel artwork will be available for pick up from the Pine Street Shelter starting Wednesday, August 13th. Artwork will NOT be available to pick up before this (unless you are notified otherwise via email). If you are not local to the St. Louis Area, shipping is available for this item upon request (for an additional cost which will be calculated for each piece individually). All winning bidders will receive an email with more information once the auction has closed.