Whenever I come across a dog abandoned by its owner, my first thought is usually that neglect is the cause. That’s exactly what I assumed when I saw a photo of Andre, until I learned the truth behind his story, which shifted my entire perspective.
Snap judgments can easily overlook deeper realities. Andre’s case wasn’t ordinary neglect. This tender five-year-old Pittie mix had been left in a Georgia park just ahead of a storm, and the note tied to him revealed a reason that was deeply heartbreaking.
A Note Reveals The Pain Behind The Abandonment
When Tara Borelli of Georgia saw a social media post about a dog tied to a tree in a public park with a note attached to his collar, her heart dropped.
The dog, a gentle five-year-old Pittie mix named Andre, had been left behind just before a snowstorm rolled in. Tara knew she couldn’t ignore the situation.
She drove several miles to reach the park, determined to bring him somewhere safe for the night. But when she read the note fastened to his collar, her heartbreak deepened.
“ ‘Hi my name is Andre. My dad is facing homelessness. I am a really good dog. My dad’s heart is broken. And no shelter will take me.’ These are the heartbreaking words that Andre’s dad tied to his beloved dog,” Tara wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post.
After gently introducing herself to Andre, Tara helped him into her car. As they began the drive home, the storm intensified. She lost traction several times and was eventually bumped by another vehicle.
Just when it seemed they might have to spend the night in her car, three strangers came to their aid and helped her get back on the road. Within a few hours, Tara and Andre made it home safely.
Andre was given a warm meal and a soft place to rest. Though Tara was only able to foster him temporarily, she felt a deep compassion for both Andre and his owner.
“To his dad, I hope you know that we are showering Andre with affection, and will do everything we can to make sure the rest of his days are filled with love,” she wrote.
Searching For Stability
Because of Tara’s quick action, Andre was spared from the cold and brought into a home where he could feel safe and cared for. He quickly settled into a routine, enjoying playtime, affection, and the comfort of a warm bed.
However, Tara’s senior dog wasn’t compatible with Andre, and she knew she couldn’t keep him permanently. She registered him with Fulton County Animal Services in Georgia, hoping that someone would see his story and offer him a forever home.
Andre’s gentle nature makes him a wonderful companion, but the shelter environment has begun to wear on him.
“He’s a sensitive dog and after a week-and-half has back at the shelter the light is fading from his eyes and extreme kennel stress is setting in,” Tara in one of her latest posts on Instagram.
Andre needs more than just a roof over his head, he needs someone who will see the love he has to give and offer him the stability he’s been missing.
He’s already endured too much loss, and he deserves a home where he can finally feel secure and cherished.
