There has been a happy ending for an abandoned dog left tied to a stop sign in the rural Vancouver Island community of Metchosin.

Discovered by a concerned passerby known as Barbara, the male 鈥榖ully breed鈥� canine had with him a bag with a sign attached that read, 鈥淗elp me please, note in bag.鈥�

Inside the bag was a five-page letter from the dog鈥檚 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 SPCA鈥檚 Wild ARC, Watson says Andy鈥檚 owner had intended to hand the canine over to the animal rehab centre in person, but had a last-minute change of heart.

鈥淭hey were overcome with feelings of guilt, shame and judgment,鈥� said Watson about the contents of the letter. 鈥淪o they decided they couldn't walk him up to the door, so left him tied to the sign.鈥�

Described as a 鈥渧ery friendly and happy鈥� mutt, Watson says Andy鈥檚 owner had the dog for five years, making the decision to give him up an 鈥渆xcruciating鈥� one.

鈥淗e was very well-fed, and he looked very well-loved,鈥� she said. 鈥淭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.鈥�

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 Andy鈥檚 fate could have taken a turn for the worse if he had not been spotted in time.

鈥淭here are so many things that could have gone wrong for this poor guy,鈥� she said, listing sub-zero temperatures and predators as potential threats.

鈥淗e could have slipped his collar and got hit by a car 鈥� he鈥檚 very lucky.鈥�

Watson hopes Andy鈥檚 story will encourage anyone considering giving up their dog to think twice.

鈥淭here are other options,鈥� she says. 鈥淓specially not leaving them at risk by a roadside.鈥�

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 鈥渙verwhelmed鈥� and at capacity, struggling with 鈥渞ecord numbers鈥� of surrendered canines.

鈥淭he rescues right now are working more with pulling dogs from really bad situations in terms of abuse or neglect,鈥� she says. 鈥淪o for people who say they don鈥檛 want their dog anymore, the only options for surrender are the SPCA and the CRD animal shelter.

鈥淎t the SPCA you do need an appointment 鈥� so you have to show up and face the music, so to speak.鈥�

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