There has been a happy ending for an abandoned dog left tied to a stop sign in Metchosin.

Discovered by a concerned passerby known as Barbara, the male B次元官网网址榖ully breedB次元官网网址� canine had with him a bag with a sign attached that read, B次元官网网址淗elp me please, note in bag.B次元官网网址�

Inside the bag was a five-page letter from the dogB次元官网网址檚 owner explaining why they were surrendering the animal, plus $500 in cash.

According to Linda Watson from Sooke-based animal rescue organization Salish Paws, the letter explained the person was no longer able to care for the dog, named Andy, because of physical and mental health reasons.

Found in the vicinity of BC SPCAB次元官网网址檚 Wild ARC, Watson says AndyB次元官网网址檚 owner had intended to hand the canine over to the animal rehab centre in person, but had a last-minute change of heart.

B次元官网网址淭hey were overcome with feelings of guilt, shame and judgment,B次元官网网址� said Watson about the contents of the letter. B次元官网网址淪o they decided they couldn't walk him up to the door, so left him tied to the sign.B次元官网网址�

Described as a B次元官网网址渧ery friendly and happyB次元官网网址� mutt, Watson says AndyB次元官网网址檚 owner had the dog for five years, making the decision to give him up an B次元官网网址渆xcruciatingB次元官网网址� one.

B次元官网网址淗e was very well fed, and he looked very well loved,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he only issue physically that we could see with the dog was the left eye, it looked like it had been bothering him for quite some time.B次元官网网址�

Andy is now receiving care from Sooke Veterinary Hospital who will determine if his eye can be saved. The lucky pup has also been offered a place to stay at the home of the person who found him, Barbara, who has two dogs already.

But Watson says AndyB次元官网网址檚 fate could have taken a turn for the worse if he had not been spotted in time.

B次元官网网址淭here are so many things that could have gone wrong for this poor guy,B次元官网网址� she said, listing sub-zero temperatures and predators as potential threats.

B次元官网网址淗e could have slipped his collar and got hit by a car B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 very lucky.B次元官网网址�

Watson hopes AndyB次元官网网址檚 story will encourage anyone considering giving up their dog to think twice.

B次元官网网址淭here are other options,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淓specially not leaving them at risk by a roadside.B次元官网网址�

For any dog owner in financial crisis, Salish Paws can help via their pet food bank, says Watson.

But for those who 'no longer want their dog', Watson warns most animal rescue charities are B次元官网网址渙verwhelmedB次元官网网址� and at capacity, struggling with B次元官网网址渞ecord numbersB次元官网网址� of surrendered canines.

B次元官网网址淭he rescues right now are working more with pulling dogs from really bad situations in terms of abuse or neglect,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淪o for people who say they donB次元官网网址檛 want their dog anymore, the only options for surrender are the SPCA and the CRD animal shelter.

B次元官网网址淎t the SPCA you do need an appointment B次元官网网址� so you have to show up and face the music, so to speak.B次元官网网址�

For more information about the work of Salish Paws, visit the website: .