Rescue pup Tuna becomes unlikely Instagram sensation

He enjoys immense popularity on Instagram, gathering millions of followers. Every photograph that appears quickly gains traction. This is Mr. Herschel Burns, known by the charming nickname Tuna—a dog who has gained more fame than many influencers. How did his online career adventure begin?

Courtney decided to change her life by moving to Los Angeles. She dreamed of having a dog in her life. Inspired by a friend's decision, she decided to get involved in fostering a dog to see how she would manage as a dog caregiver. Her life was full of activities and company, and living in a small studio apartment, she wasn't sure if adopting a dog permanently would be a wise move. Nevertheless, she decided to take in an animal. With such dilemmas, she visited a local market where a foundation was presenting its animals for adoption.

A conversation with a volunteer convinced Courtney to try caring for one of the puppies. Among many, one little puppy stole her heart. For many, it was an unlikely choice. The puppy was small, shivering from the cold, with a receding lower jaw and wrinkled skin on its neck. To some, it might not have been the most beautiful, but to Courtney, it was absolutely special.

"I believe that ever since I was a child, God equipped me with a heart to love the unloved. I am very sensitive to other people; I can sense their emotions. When I saw this puppy, I immediately thought it was so poor and so much in need of love that I just had to take it home and love it with all my heart," Courtney recounts.

Robin, one of the volunteers, noticed Courtney's exceptional commitment. She was almost sure that Courtney would soon decide on full adoption. That intuition turned out to be correct. Courtney tried to find a new home for the puppy, but none of her acquaintances were interested. After a few days of living together, she decided that she herself should take him permanently. As it turned out, it was one of her best decisions.

"On Tuesday evening, the day before I was supposed to return the puppy to Robin, I met with friends. I thought to myself at the time that I loved this dog and that I should be the one to adopt him, but everyone started discouraging me from this idea, explaining that I was never home, so it would be irresponsible to adopt a dog," Courtney admitted.

Despite her friends' conflicting opinions, Courtney decided to become the owner of the dog, who a volunteer had given the name Wormi. Soon after adoption, she decided to give him a new name. Its origins were quite interesting. "When I was in high school, I sometimes cared for a little boy named Herschel. A lovely name for a dachshund-like dog! So the choice was made for Mr. Herschel Burns," she explained.

However, this wasn't the final version. Gradually getting used to the new name, she began calling him Tooney. Ultimately, the nickname Tuna (which means 'tuna' in English) quickly caught on and became his trademark.

Tuna quickly settled into his new home. Courtney was extremely happy with his presence and wanted to share these experiences with others. Shortly after Instagram launched in 2011, she set up an account for him, where she started posting funny photos of Herschel. From that moment, the success of this four-legged friend in the online world gained momentum. Now, Tuna has nearly two million fans on Instagram, and his charming overbite melts the hearts of many people online.

Tuna's online career also extends to Facebook. Over 420,000 people follow this unassuming four-legged friend's official profile, which includes plenty of unusual photos and videos from the dog's life.