Well, life as a pup in a shelter is sort of hit or miss. Though shelter workers do everything possible to liven things up and keep life interesting, some pooches get a bit glum. I used to volunteer at shelters and it’s such a conflicted feeling, with eyes looking up hoping for a forever home.
Fortunately, most of these pups are adopted fairly soon and go off to lead lives consisting of love and belly rubs. However, for others, the wait is longer and others still face the unimaginable of being adopted before then returned. This story is about one of these pups named Andy.
Come on, little dude! – ———— Andy is a teeny tiny little one who was rescued off the streets and brought to Little Guild, the sole limitied-admission shelter in West Cornwall, Connecticut. Much of his trouble had preceded him arriving in Connecticut. After becoming severely entangled in a tie-out and runner system meant to keep him on the property his owner surrendered him to a shelter in Georgia with grave wounds.
We are not given much information about his early life, but whatever it was, was not good. Little Guild animal care specialist Kelsey Turick told Newsweek “With what [Rudy] went through in his life, he probably did not trust people immediately.
Andy had some major trust issues when he first got to the shelter. He hated new faces, they made him anxious and sometimes territorial. The thing is, Andy becomes the sweetest dog you can imagine around people he knows.
“He was a bit shy at first (but once) he trusts you, he loves you to bits,” she finished.
The Heartbreaking Return
No one was shocked by Andy’s trust issues. Although quickly adopted into a home following his arrival at the shelter, he did not last long with that family—he was returned as he was too reactive around people.
Since then, Andy has returned to his kennel, silently watching people wander past in the corridor, shaking whenever someone stops to peer at him. He’s so damn sad because he’s chilled out around humans but then most people leave him waiting around to see what a great dog he can be.
Convinced he tells someone who knows him best, Kelsey that Mr. Right is out there somewhere for Andy.
“He is so very precious to our hearts that we really hope his forever family are out there. It’s going to take a patient and understanding person who is willing to work with him on his initial reactiveness and fear of new people. Kelsey said: “Andy has medium to high energy and needs calm, confident handling to boost his confidence.
She added that if Andy is lucky enough to find his perfect home, he will be able to work though all of his troubled past and live a life brimming with love and happiness.
He can be a very wiggly, happily-go-lucky good boy with a familiar handler. He enjoys snuggling and playing with toys. The Ideal Home: That home that will give Andy the guidance he needs and will be ready to be rewarded devotion and love. He is fantastic with other dogs and would do well in a home with another dog.”
Final Thoughts
Andy is a great pup who just needs some time and some patience to blossom. I honestly hope he gets lucky very soon and finds that special person who will provide him the feelings of fulfillment and belonging he rightly deserves.
Good luck, Andy!
Stories like Andy’s remind me how many animals are waiting in our shelters to get a forever home. At any given time, nearly 3.3 million dogs are in U.S. shelters and almost 100,000 lost pets never get home each year according to the ASPCA. The stories of many of them are similar — waiting for someone to look beyond their initial struggles and give them an opportunity.
If you are thinking about getting a new furry family member, maybe consider those like Andy who need some more TLC and time. The benefits are second to none.
