When I see a dog left behind, I usually assume it is a simple case of neglect. That was my first reaction when I came across a photo of Andre. Then I learned what happened, and it completely changed how I looked at his situation.
It is easy to make quick assumptions, especially online, where you only see a single image and a few lines of context. Andre’s story, though, was not a typical abandonment.
This gentle five year old Pittie mix was left in a Georgia park right before a storm, and the message attached to him made it clear that someone was hurting too.
The Message On His Collar Told The Real Story
When Tara Borelli in Georgia noticed a post about a dog tied to a tree in a public park, she felt sick to her stomach.
The dog had a note attached to his collar, and the timing made the situation even more urgent.
Andre had been left outside as a snowstorm approached.
Tara knew there was no time to wait and hope someone else would step in, so she got in her car and drove several miles to reach the park.
Once she arrived, she read the note and realized just how heartbreaking the situation truly was.
“ ‘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.
Tara took a moment to calmly introduce herself to Andre, then guided him into her car. She planned to get him somewhere warm for the night, but the weather had other plans.
As they started driving, conditions worsened fast. Tara lost traction several times, and during the tense ride, another vehicle bumped her.
For a moment, it looked like she and Andre might be stuck and forced to wait out the night in the car.
Then help arrived in the form of three strangers who stopped and stepped in. They assisted her and helped get her moving again, and within a few hours, Tara and Andre made it home safely.
Once they were inside, Andre finally got what he needed most. He ate a warm meal, settled onto a soft place to sleep, and rested out of the cold. Tara could only foster him for a short time, but she still felt a deep responsibility to him and empathy for the person who made that painful decision.
“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.
Safe For Now, Still Searching For The Right Place
Because Tara acted quickly, Andre avoided the worst of the storm and landed in a home where he could decompress.
He adjusted to indoor life with surprising ease, soaking up attention, enjoying playtime, and relaxing in a warm bed.
Still, Tara knew her situation was temporary. Her senior dog did not do well with Andre, and keeping him long term was not possible.
Wanting him to have a real chance at stability, she registered him with Fulton County Animal Services in Georgia and continued sharing his story in hopes the right person would step forward.
Andre’s temperament makes him an easy dog to care about, but the shelter setting has started to take a toll. The longer he stays, the harder it becomes for him to cope.
“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 a safe place to sleep. He needs a consistent home, steady companionship, and someone who will recognize what he offers and commit to him.
After everything he has already been through, he deserves a future that feels secure, calm, and permanent.
