Life inside a shelter is always a mix of comfort and sorrow. Staff members do their best to fill the days with kindness, toys, and attention, yet many dogs still long for a real home.
For some, adoption comes quickly. For others, the wait drags on. And then there are dogs like Andy, who thought he had finally found happiness, only to have it taken away again.
A Rough Start In Life
Andy’s journey began far from Connecticut. He was originally surrendered to a Georgia shelter after a terrible accident left him injured. The little pup had been tangled in a tie-out system meant to confine him to a yard, and the damage was severe.
Eventually, Andy was transferred to Little Guild, a limited-admission shelter in West Cornwall, Connecticut, where staff members took him in and began working to heal both his body and spirit.
“We do not have many details on what happened early in his life, but whatever it was, it wasn’t great. This probably led to him not trusting people right away,” Little Guild’s animal care specialist Kelsey Turick told in an interview.
When Andy first arrived, it was clear he struggled with deep trust issues. New faces made him anxious, and he could be reactive when approached by strangers.
But staff soon discovered another side of him.
“Andy is a little on the timid side at first, but once you earn his trust he will shower you with affection and loyalty,” she added.
Around those he trusted, Andy blossomed into a loving, playful companion who craved affection and snuggles.
Adopted, Then Returned
For a brief moment, it seemed as though Andy’s sad past was behind him. He was adopted not long after arriving at the shelter. Sadly, it didn’t last.
His new family struggled with his reactivity toward unfamiliar people, and instead of working through it, they returned him.
The setback crushed Andy. Back in his kennel, he spent long hours curled up, trembling whenever visitors passed by. He still peeked hopefully through the bars, but few people stayed long enough to see the sweet dog hiding behind the fear.
Despite the heartbreak, Kelsey and the team refuse to give up on him.
“We love him so much and really hope his forever family is out there. It is going to take someone patient and understanding to work with him on his reactivity and initial fear of new people. Andy has medium to high energy and needs calm, confident handling to help him overcome his insecurities,” said Kelsey.
She added that Andy has plenty of energy and thrives when given calm, confident guidance.
“With a trusted handler, he can be a very wiggly, happy-go-lucky boy. He loves to cuddle and play with toys. His ideal home will provide Andy with the guidance he needs and be ready to be rewarded with devotion and love. He is absolutely amazing with other dogs and would thrive with another dog in the home,” she concluded.
Hoping For Better Days Ahead
For now, Andy waits. He’s a pup who has endured more than his share of struggles but still carries hope in his eyes.
All he needs is someone patient enough to look past his fears and give him the chance to shine. With the right family, Andy could finally leave his painful past behind and step into the happy, love-filled life he deserves.
Good luck, sweet Andy.