For abandoned dogs, adjusting from a once-comfortable home to the noisy, crowded environment of a shelter can be overwhelming.
Imagine the heartbreak of a pup who loses his favorite person, only to be surrounded by strange sounds, unfamiliar faces, and a cloud of uncertainty.
In those moments, shelter staff and volunteers become the only source of comfort for these frightened souls.
One such dog, a Pittie mix named Andy Cohen, desperately needed that reassurance.
Meet Andy Cohen
Andy Cohen, best known as a radio and TV talk show host, isn’t the only one with that name.
A sweet Pittie mix also called Andy Cohen ended up at Tift County Animal Shelter in Tifton, Georgia, after his owner could no longer care for him.
Andy arrived with three other dogs in early November. His former owner, returning to work as a truck driver, explained he couldn’t keep his pets any longer.
“They were heartbroken when they arrived, all huddled together and scared. Andy Cohen was shy, crying and feeling abandoned,” Leah Robinson, rescue coordinator at the shelter, said in an interview.
To encourage adoptions and fostering, the shelter shared a video of Andy seeking comfort from staff.
Visibly frightened and lost, Andy clung tightly to a worker’s leg, refusing to let go. His desperate need for affection touched everyone who saw the footage.
In the viral video, the gentle Pittie rests against the worker while she strokes his back, his sad eyes telling a story of heartbreak.
A Fresh Start
Because of the fear and stress he was experiencing, the shelter decided Andy needed a change of scenery. He was transferred to their sister organization in New York City, Waldo’s Rescue Pen, where he would get a chance at a better future.
“We wanted him to have a fresh start with a family that loves him,” Robinson said.
And that’s exactly what happened.
Once Waldo’s Rescue Pen posted Andy’s video, hearts broke across social media. Many people felt moved by his story, and before long, a family stepped forward to give him the home he deserved.
Now renamed Buddy, this once-scared dog is finally living a joyful life with his new family in New York.
“He is now named Buddy and living his best life with his family in NY. We are so happy for Buddy and his family! Thank you for choosing Waldo’s Rescue,” the rescue wrote in their update.
From terrified and clinging for comfort to wagging his tail in a loving home, Buddy’s story is proof of the power of kindness.
And the best part? He now has a furry friend to share his days with.
To Buddy’s new family – thank you for giving this sweet boy the love and stability he always longed for.