Meet Andi

 Meet Andi!

This petite, fluffy girl is a Great Pyrenees mix estimated to be around 10–12 months old. Andi joined Dog Squad Rescue after surviving a hit-and-run incident — but don’t worry, this tough cookie escaped without any broken bones and has fully recovered from her minor road rash.

Andi is a gentle, sensitive soul who may be a little shy at first — but once she feels safe, her personality begins to shine. She’s bonded closely with her foster family and gave the warmest welcome-home greeting after they returned from a recent camping trip! While Andi still has a few puppy quirks (she’s been known to snack on random things she finds on the ground), her energy level is surprisingly mild for her age.

She loves other dogs and finds comfort and confidence in their company, so we’d love to see her go to a home with a canine sibling or two. A calm, nurturing environment will help her continue to thrive.

Andi is spayed, up-to-date on vaccines, and ready to find her forever family. 

 It’s hard to believe how far Andi has come since she joined our Squad on June 5th.

She had been hit and dragged by a car. A Good Samaritan saw it happen, scooped her up without hesitation, and rushed her to the emergency vet. She was physically hurting, but emotionally… she was completely shut down.

When we first met Andi, she was so timid and shut off from the world. Loud noises, new people, even sudden movements scared her. We didn’t push. We let her move at her own pace. And slowly, with patience, love, and the help of her foster brother Apollo—she started to come out of her shell.

She started playing. She started wagging her tail. And she started trusting.

Don’t get us wrong—Andi’s still a shy girl. She still cowers at the sight of a leash. But the scared, frozen pup we first met is long gone. She’s becoming her own sweet, silly little self. And now, she’s getting ready for the next step in her journey.

Tonight, Andi joined her foster family where she will remain until she finds a family of her own. 

On Tuesday, Andi will be spayed at Riverside Vet. Once she’s recovered, we’ll start actively looking for her forever home. 

 Apollo and Andi’s foster puppy love story continues… and we’re all here for it. 

It’s truly incredible how far Andi has come in just one weekend. When we first brought her in, she was paralyzed by fear—of humans, of being seen, of simply existing. But something amazing happens when you place a scared dog in a home with a confident, balanced companion. That’s where Apollo stepped in.

The power of a multi-dog household can’t be overstated. Dogs like Andi, who have lost all trust in the world, often learn best from their own kind. And thanks to Apollo, Andi is starting to come back to life.

Their budding puppy love is heartwarming. She’s still a timid little thing, but each day she’s coming out of her shell just a little more—zoomies, nose nudges, and a glimmer of curiosity in those soulful eyes. 

Oh—and peep those lights on their collars? That’s right, Apollo and Andi are testing out their new Fi collars, and we are loving them! (More to come on that soon.)

As for potty training? Well… let’s just say Andi hasn’t quite grasped the idea of doing her business outside yet. Right now, she prefers to hold it until she’s safely back inside. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real. Rehabilitating dogs like Andi means unlearning everything they thought they knew about the world—and patiently, lovingly showing them a better way.

Andi may not be “there” yet, but she’s getting closer every day. And watching her heal, at her own pace, is one of the most beautiful things in the world.

She’s worth every moment. 

There are some things you just can’t put off—no matter how scared a dog is. Andi needed a bath. Badly. The ER vet gave us the green light, and we knew it was time.

Yes, we knew it would be scary. But when you’re living in survival mode, sometimes the hard things are the things that start the healing. And we knew, without a doubt, that Stephanie was the one to help us start this next chapter.

Stephanie didn’t just give Andi a bath—she gave her safety, patience, and the space to trust. She sat in the tub with her for 30 minutes before ever turning on the water. She let the faucet run for 20 minutes without getting Andi wet. And slowly, Andi began to let her guard down. She began to trust.

Stephanie told us that out of all the foster dogs she’s bathed, Andi was the hardest—not because Andi was “bad,” but because of how deeply her fear runs. And still, Stephanie showed up with love.

As Andi was gently cleaned, Stephanie found burs and grain stuck in her coat. Two more ticks hidden beneath the fluff. But Andi—this girl who originally fought every touch—slept through the entire blow-drying process. She is that tired. Tired from carrying fear. Tired from surviving.

Do you notice her chattering teeth? It’s likely a nervous tic, and we’ll be sure the vet takes a closer look. Because no detail goes unnoticed in her care.

And somehow, after all she’s been through, Andi is still here. Still fighting. Still learning that people don’t have to hurt. Still finding out that maybe—just maybe—she’s finally safe.

Stephanie, thank you. You saw her. You honored her fear. And you helped her take one of her bravest steps yet.

We won’t give up on Andi. And we know you won’t either. 

Andi’s story is one that breaks your heart before it ever has a chance to heal it.

Last night, this beautiful, young Great Pyrenees—estimated to be between 6 to 12 months old—was hit by a car and then dragged down the road in Anderson County. Somehow, she survived. A Good Samaritan rushed her to the vet, where she was hospitalized overnight.

This morning, we officially welcomed her into Dog Squad.

We know many of you are eager to meet Andi. The applications have already started pouring in. Randy’s phone has been nonstop with texts and voicemails. And we’re so grateful for the love being sent her way.

But we need to be honest with you:

Andi is absolutely terrified.

Not just a little scared. Not a little shy. Andi is paralyzed by fear. Of people. Of touch. Of sound. Of being seen. We have not had a dog this shut down in years.

This kind of fear doesn’t heal with well-meaning affection or quick introductions. It takes time. Patience. Safety. And consistency. For now, we are holding off on all meet and greets while Andi decomposes and begins the long road of emotional recovery. Plus, SC law requires a five day stray hold.

When we picked her up from Magnolia, we took her straight to VEG for a full exam. She was so frozen in fear that she wouldn’t come out of her kennel. Not even for treats. So we carried the entire kennel—with her in it—into the building. It took canned chicken and an enormous amount of gentleness to convince her the world might not hurt her this time.

Physically, Andi is sore and bruised. She has deep road rash and several open wounds. Her body is covered in ticks. Thankfully, she has no broken bones and her ultrasound didn’t show internal damage, but we’re monitoring closely. Her wounds were cleaned, her pain is being managed, and she’s on antibiotics to fight off infection. We’re doing everything we can to avoid the need for surgical debridement.

Now we need your help.

Andi’s vet bills from Magnolia and VEG are steep—and rising. As a small rescue, we can’t do this alone. Every donation is tax-deductible, and every dollar truly makes a difference.

Please keep Andi in your hearts tonight. She has a long road ahead—but she’s no longer alone on it.