Blue's plight inspires others

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Blue Dog, The City of Elephant Butte's mascot first made headlines when his c aretakers were fighting to keep him free , now his story is helping other animals.

Blue's caretakers never imagined his plight would create such an outpouring of community support.
    
Now they're returning the favor.

"Blue is doing good…he's healthy, he's happy, he's adjusted well," Janice Connor said.
    
It's been quite a ride for old Blue of Elephant Butte.
    
This summer the 11-year-old Australian cattledog found himself in the middle of an animal control law controversy.
    
At issue was whether he should be allowed to come and go as he pleases.
    
You see Blue doesn't belong to just one person.

"The community pitches in to make sure he has you know heated stuff in his dog house and everything like that,” Attorney Hilary Noskin said.

For the last four years he's taken up residence at the Butte General Store and Marine.
    
It was one of the store owners, Janice Connor who created a Facebook page to garner support for Blue, it worked.

"The city council has backed off…there's no problems with Blue on that end,” Connor said.
    
But Blue's story doesn't end there.
    
In fact what's happened since he was able to keep his freedom with some new boundaries is something Connor never expected.

"It’s just turned into a website that has actually helped so many other animals and people,” Connor said.

In addition to letting people know how the beloved dog is doing Blue's Facebook page has become a mecca for people to post about other animals in need.
    
Whether it's help to find a lost dog find a new home for an abused dog or raise awareness for shelter's seeking support.

"Its been a really….heart warming experience,” Connor said.
    
Connor says she gets a hundred plus messages a day.
    
She even created these Blue dog t-shirts at the request of some of those Facebook friends.
    
To date she's sold more than 600.

"I decided the profits from the t-shirts will all go to helping other animals,” Conner said.
    
A simple way to pay it forward, so Blue's story isn't the only one with a happy ending.
 
Connor says people have come from as far away as England to meet Blue.
    
She says he's taking his new found celebrity status in stride.