Blue Heeler Who Ran After Man Who Abandoned Him at Shelter Hits The Jackpot With New Home

A Blue Heeler who was abandoned in a shelter’s parking lot has found a wonderful new family after video that was released of him chasing after the man who left him there went viral.

In late September, video was released of a man dropping off the Blue Heeler at the front door of Hawkins County Humane Society in Tennessee on a Saturday afternoon. The shelter was closed at the time because it was under quarantine due to dog illness, so the man left the dog unleashed out front.

But when the man attempted to leave, the dog, originally named Rawhide and now named Toby, desperately chased after him, jumping on him to get his attention.

The man pushed Toby away and drove off. Toby chased after his truck as he pulled onto the highway, according to WJHL but the man did not stop.

Fortunately, HCHS staff spotted Toby and ran after him to bring him safely inside the shelter.

The Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office investigated and found the dog’s owner but no charges were filed. HCHS later posted the email sent to them from the man, who stated the dog was not his but was, in fact, a stray he had rescued.

The shelter said that the man had expressed a great deal of remorse for leaving the dog as he did, and that they believe the public humiliation he received on social media was sufficient punishment.




Concentrating on finding Toby a home ,the shelter said they received hundreds of applications for Toby but one stood out. Taylor Helton, who lives not far from the shelter on a farm, immediately knew Toby belonged with her.

She went to the shelter every day for two weeks straight to spend time with him and get to know him.

Taylor has two other Blue Heelers and a large farm with nine horses and 50 cows. Toby has quickly settled in, becoming the older big brother to the other two dogs and doesn’t leave Taylor’s side.




Taylor shared video of Toby enjoying play time with his new siblings.

“Taylor has come so far with his training as he was very high energy. He follows her around off leash and listens to her commands I think this boy is going to have the best life ever,” the shelter wrote.

“Even though he was mistreated, he was still so sweet, and I love heelers,” Taylor told the Times News. “I’m on a farm and I have horses and cattle, and they’re (heelers) really good with horses and cows and just really good, loyal dogs.”

She added, “When I go on a walk on the farm, he’ll walk so close to me that he brushes my leg. He will not leave my side. He doesn’t use a lead. He just follows me like my other ones do. He’s got a younger brother and a younger sister now that he plays with all the time.”

“He became a member of the family right away. This is the home he always deserved, and now he’s here.”