Title: Lifted By Love
Artist: Lisa Tuttle
Medium: Acrylic
Dimensions: 16" x 20"
Animal Depicted: Metallica

Metallica was a very special boy to us here at Stray Rescue. He came into our care in 2019 as a puppy, and he was quickly adopted. After living in a home for over two years, he was returned because the adopter could no longer care for him. Coming back to the shelter was very stressful for him, and the impact of being a "pandemic dog" seemed to have hindered his socialization skills. Once he warmed up to people, he was amazing, but he could be shy and scared at first. He wasn't a fan of other dogs, and the loud shelter made it difficult for him to decompress. Fortunately, we have amazing staff and volunteers at Stray Rescue who focus much of their time and energy on dogs like Metallica. He had a core group of "friends" that would regularly take him on walks and adventures, and most importantly - snuggle with him whenever they got the chance. He loved to snuggle.

Sadly, at just 7 years old, Metallica developed an aggressive cancer that progressed quickly. He also had arthritis and had previously torn his ACL, so his quality of life was diminishing. He was in pain, and his loved ones (staff and volunteers) decided it would be selfish to make him carry on.

In October 2025, all of Metallica's favorite people gathered in one of the play yards to give him one last beautiful day. They snuggled with him, thanked him for bettering their lives, and surrounded him with more love than some will ever know. Metallica had found his family - it was us all along. His volunteer mama Andrea even signed his adoption papers before guiding him over the rainbow bridge. He did belong. He did matter. He did have a home. He knew trust, compassion, friendship, and most importantly, he knew love.

"To be chosen by Metallica was an honor. He wasn't a dog you could just walk up to and be friends; you had to earn it. Once you were in, you were in for life. Everything with Metallica was big. His body, his appetite, his emotions. He had barks that would clear a room, a smile that would light up any gloomy day, and love that could piece your heart back together when it was broken."
- Andrea, Metallica's Mom

Thanks for being the best boy, and we will see you again, Metallica.

Status: Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

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 19th through Thursday, September 3rd. 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.