Rescued dog turned viral sensation visits Palm Springs
A photogenic, 5-year-old Chiweenie with an exaggerated overbite, recessed jawline and wrinkly neck, has been making the rounds on the internet for the past few years after being rescued by a woman in Los Angeles in 2010.
The dog’s backstory has a happy ending, but it’s his unique appearance that skyrocketed him to social fame years later; now with 1.7 million followers on Instagram, 210,000 likes on Facebook and nearly 7,000 followers on Twitter.
And now, Coachella Valley residents had a chance to meet ‘Tuna’ themselves.
Tuna was at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs on Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon. Tuna was on the Moroccan Patio for everyone to meet and greet.
Tuna was rescued by Courtney Dasher in December 2010 at a Farmer’s Market in LA when he was four months old. A year later, Dasher said she began Tuna’s Instagram account, not realizing how his cartoon-like looks would garner so much attention.
Dasher said because Tuna is the epitome of the underdog, most people advocate for him and adore him for his endearing qualities. His loyal followers embrace his physical differences, have fallen in love with his charm and connect to his message; that true beauty comes in all forms and radiates from within.
In addition, Dasher said Tuna’s an ambassador for animal rescue, since he too was once rescued, and it has become a part of her mission to raise awareness for rescue groups through this platform.
News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 went to the Ace Hotel to capture some video of Tuna on Thursday. We’ll post the video soon for anyone who didn’t have the opportunity to meet the viral sensation.
