Sometimes real love means knowing when to let go, even if that choice will end up breaking both your hearts.

A 12-year-old boy from Mexico was forced into making that same heart-breaking decision when he left his beloved puppy on the doorstep of rescue group Refugio Xollin, in order to protect him. A rescue shelter in Michoacan, Mexico, recently found a cardboard box outside their building.

Inside, they found a Pitbull puppy along with a note explaining why the pup had been left on their doorstep.

The rescue centre said in a Facebook post;

“Someone left this dog at the door of the shelter, inside a box, with a plush toy and a note. The note was written by a kid and he explained his dad was always beating the dog and was planning to sell him. So, in such a state of despair, he left the dog here to save him.”

The tragic explanation shook all the staff and after they decided to share the story on Facebook.

People from all over the world have been reaching out to offer their help and to praise the young boy who gave up his puppy.

The note revealed that the individual who’d left the puppy outside was a 12-year-old  boy named Andrés. He loved the puppy so deeply, but his current circumstances meant the puppy was not safe in his home.

The note continued on with Andrés making a dark revelation — his father was mistreating and abusing the Pitbull, subjecting him to extreme physical violence.

So he and his mother decided that the only way they could protect the puppy and give him a better life was to give him up.

Andrés’s note, originally written in Spanish, read;

‘My name is Andrés and I am 12 years old, My mom and I decided to leave my dog in your hands, hiding it from my dad because he is thinking about selling him. But he mistreats and kicks him. One day he kicked him so hard that he hurt his tail. I hope you can help and take care of him. I left him a stuffed animal so he won’t forget me.’

The heartbreak Andrés was experiencing is painfully evident in the note. It was clear to the staff at the shelter how much he loved his dog, and they were deeply moved by his words.

They decided to name the puppy Rene — and while giving him a once over they discovered that his tail had minor fractures and he was suffering from parasites. Luckily for Rene, he’s now in good hands and all the staff are making sure he gets the right treatment and a suitable home.

After Rene’s story was shared on Facebook, hundreds of adoption requests poured through, so it was only a matter of time before he found his forever home,.

Andrés made a courageous decision to put the well-being and happiness of the puppy before his own, even though it meant losing him forever.

It was a heroic display of love and selflessness, but it is horrible and cruel that he was ever put in this situation, to begin with. However, thanks to Andrés’s sacrifice, Rene won’t have to live in fear any longer.

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