Don’t ever lose hope. Even when things seem bleak and it’s hard to imagine a way forward, the only thing to cling to is the hope that a better day is ahead.
That’s the mindset Bando has carried with him through the past few months.
After being heartlessly tied up and left outside the shelter by his former family, Bando’s journey has been filled with hardships. But he refused to give up.
Bando’s Journey Started With A Rough Past
Heidi, a volunteer at ACCT Philly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was instantly drawn to Bando. Even though he had been abandoned, this lovable Pittie mix wore a huge grin and was friendly with everyone he met at the shelter.
“From the moment I saw his smile and his energy I knew that he was a special guy. Everybody that’s met Bando is really, really in love with him,” Heidi told Cuddle Buddies.
Despite losing the only home he had known, Bando kept believing that things would turn around.
The Pennsylvania shelter quickly stepped in to help. They placed Bando in a foster home, hoping he might become a permanent member of the family or at least receive a promising adoption application.
But things didn’t go as planned. Instead of finding his forever home, Bando was sent back to the shelter by his foster parents, having to begin his journey all over again.
This time, though, things grew more difficult.
Life in the kennel affected Bando deeply, and he began to suffer from anxiety. It was clear this wasn’t the life he was meant to live, and his caretakers could see it. Once a cheerful and easygoing pup, Bando now battled with intense stress and worry.
So, the shelter decided to take things further by enrolling their beloved boy in a board-and-train program at Muddy & Co.
And it turned out to be exactly what Bando needed.
Holding Onto The Belief That His Forever Family Will Arrive
Jeff, the founder of the training center, welcomed Bando with warmth, and the dog responded in kind. Within just a few weeks, Bando began learning manners and what it meant to be part of a family.
He started enjoying life again and opened up around other dogs. It didn’t take long before Bando showed what a truly special companion he could be.
But even after completing his training, no adoption applications had come in. That’s when Jeff stepped in for Bando once again.
Worried that returning Bando to the shelter might undo his progress, Jeff chose to foster him for the foreseeable future. For now, this gentle Pittie will remain by his foster dad’s side while continuing to grow and wait for his forever home.
These days, Bando is no longer weighed down by anxiety. He shares his toys, plays with fellow dogs, and enjoys meeting new people. With all of that going for him, there’s no doubt that one day he’ll make an incredible addition to the right home.
“I stay really positive knowing that he’s gonna find a family that is ready for him to fit in and have a great life after he leaves me,” says Jeff.
Best of luck, Bando. You truly deserve a happy ending.