Rescue Dog Left Behind After Hurricane is Crowned World’s Cutest Dog
Bastian, a 7-year-old pup with a heart as big as his story, has officially been crowned People magazine’s World’s Cutest Rescue Dog. The announcement on CBS Mornings touched hearts everywhere. Bastian’s journey began in 2018 when he and his sister were rescued from the floodwaters of Hurricane Florence in South Carolina. (Watch Video Below)
After being brought to New Jersey, he was the last dog left unadopted at an event, until Joelle Andres spotted him and instantly knew he belonged with her. Today, this once-forgotten survivor is being celebrated for the joy and love he brings into the world.
The Dog No One Chose, Until Joelle Did
Bastian triumphed over two adorable finalists, Apollo and Tiki, to take home the title. When Joelle Andres began looking for her first dog, a photo of a scruffy little rat terrier instantly caught her heart. His eyes, though tired and uncertain, seemed to hold a quiet depth, like he’d been through a lot but was still holding onto hope.
She wasted no time submitting an adoption application, but soon learned the pup was heading to an adoption event that weekend, the same one she couldn’t attend because she had a wedding to go to.
Joelle Andres, 41, had come to terms with the fact that the little terrier named Bastian had probably already found a home. So when the Burlington County Animal Alliance of New Jersey reached out to say he was actually the only dog not adopted at the event, she couldn’t believe it.
Without hesitation, Joelle, who works as a special education administrator in Levittown, N.Y., got in her car and drove for hours through heavy rain just to meet him. Something in her heart told her she needed to see this pup for herself.
From a Depressed Soul to Cutest Rescue Dog
Joelle recalls the adoption day, saying, “He was just a little, sad, skinny boy. I held him, and I was like, ‘That’s it. You’re coming home with me.”
She officially adopted Bastian in October 2018, marking October 11 as his special “gotcha day.” Now, Bastian has double the reason to celebrate: his adoption anniversary and his big win as PEOPLE’s 2025 World’s Cutest Rescue Dog, presented by the PEDIGREE brand.
Just like Joelle, thousands of voters fell for Bastian’s soulful eyes and sweet spirit, including celebrity judges Kristin Davis, Shawn Johnson East, and the hosts of CBS Mornings, who proudly announced his win.
Thanks to an outpouring of love and support, Bastian triumphed over thousands of other rescue pups to take home the grand title. His prize includes a year’s supply of PEDIGREE dog food and a $1,000 donation to a rescue of his mom’s choosing, which Andres lovingly directed to the Burlington County Animal Alliance of New Jersey, the shelter that once helped Bastian find her.
