When the Washington County Animal Shelter received a call in April about a stray dog named Blue seeking refuge at a stranger’s house, everyone was taken aback. Upon arriving, an animal control officer promptly rushed to pick up the pit bull mix and bring him back to the shelter. There was no telling how long Blue had been homeless, but it was clear that he had developed a deep fondness for humans, as he joyfully approached every person he encountered. In that moment, the sight of Blue was so surprising that it left everyone momentarily shocked, making them question if what they were seeing was real or not.
The executive director of Washington County Animal Shelter, Tammy Davis, shared with The Dodo that Blue was a joyful and carefree dog. Although he was initially reserved and uncomfortable around other dogs, he was very affectionate towards humans and loved the shelter staff. However, the COVID-19 outbreak caused the shelter to limit public access to only those with appointments. As a result, there were fewer visitors to the shelter, leaving Blue in his kennel for several months. Surprisingly, this turned out to be advantageous for Blue.
Blue had been missing from his home in Tennessee for half a year, despite his dad’s tireless search efforts. Eventually, his father had to relocate to Texas for work and thought he’d never see his beloved dog again. However, a friend sent him a video of Blue on Facebook, which gave him hope. To confirm the man claiming to be Blue’s owner was telling the truth, they asked him about Blue’s favorite toy – a blue squeaky ball. Surprisingly, the owner revealed that Blue loved playing with the same ball in his home, and sent pictures to prove it. The whole situation was unbelievable.
Blue has reunited with his father and they are embarking on a fresh start in Texas, where they will be showered with affection and playtime. Davis expressed her desire that all animals could enjoy such a joyful outcome, and she finds these moments to be the ultimate reward for her team’s tireless efforts.