Adventurous dog helps heal adopter’s broken heart

If dogs had dating profiles, Whitey’s might look something like this: Handsome red heeler seeks an adventure-loving human who loves dogs, long walks on the beach (long walks anywhere), and piña coladas. OK, maybe not the piña colada part, but the rest could be true. And little did he know he would meet his match in J.J. McMahon.

After a series of tragic events, including the deaths of his mother and sister, J.J. was looking for a furry companion to help heal his broken heart and match his active lifestyle. He reached out to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in search of a dog who could keep up with him. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters to reach no-kill in 2025, and choosing to adopt a pet is one of the most impactful ways to help save animals’ lives.

“I'm an adventure guide and spend all my time outdoors, so I needed an adventure dog,” says J.J. “My ex had brought a lovable heeler into my life, and besides being naturally inquisitive and very intelligent, I knew that this breed could keep up with my active lifestyle.”

What he didn’t realize was how healing this little red heeler with the white patch on his face would be. “He came into my life at the perfect time and took me out of the depression spiral I found myself in,” says J.J.

J.J. adopted Whitey less than a month before the pandemic shut down the world, including the resort where he works. So J.J. made the most of that time by learning how to be the best doggy caregiver he could be.

“Knowing that heelers require lots of exercise, I watched countless videos on proper training techniques,” says J.J. “I wanted to hit the ground running. We did everything together all the time; it was awesome.”

[Life of adventure for a dog who couldn’t be left behind]

Whitey loved exploring southern Utah's rugged landscape with J.J., and they bonded over their shared passion for outdoor adventures. J.J. delighted in Whitey's playful antics, especially his penchant for rocks. One of Whitey's favorite activities is rolling large rocks out of the lake, into the lake, across a cliff, or simply carrying them around in his mouth. Adorable.

When the resort reopened, J.J. met some guests who encouraged him to start posting videos of his outdoor adventures with Whitey on YouTube. They suggested it as a therapeutic way to help him cope with the grief surrounding his recent losses.

“They were wonderful, loving, and caring people,” says J.J. “They encouraged me to just start making videos for me and Whitey. The first one we did was at Lee’s Ferry on the Colorado River in Arizona.”

Whitey's adorable face and lively spirit, combined with the educational elements J.J. added to the videos, resonated with viewers. J.J. thought this could become a fun hobby. Soon, one video became two, then three, then 14, and Whitey’s World was born.

The YouTube channel continued to gain viewers, and schools from all over the country started contacting J.J., letting him know they were showing Whitey’s World in their classrooms. A teacher from Minnesota reached out to J.J., encouraging him to continue making his videos because they were so entertaining and educational for the kids. Soon, local schools started requesting J.J. and Whitey for field trips.

[Big life for a much-loved-adventure dog]

“Our first field trip was to an outdoor-focused school in Page, Arizona,” says J.J. “I’m familiar with the area from guiding, so we discussed local flora, fauna, and the geology of the region, as well as the importance of being responsible caretakers of Mother Nature and respecting the beauty of the outdoors. Whitey did fantastic, and everyone loved him.” As the videos grew in popularity, Whitey started getting noticed more and more. J.J. recalls walking into a classroom with Whitey for a presentation when a little girl excitedly ran up, saying she knew Whitey from TV.

“He’s the star of the show and has become quite popular," says J.J. “So he’s a bit of a diva these days. But it’s OK; he deserves it.”

J.J. says he feels a kindred type of connection with Whitey, as he too was adopted. “Adoption is a beautiful and profound connection and one that brings love, happiness, and joy into your world,” says J.J. “If you’re willing to open your heart to the experience, it makes you a better person and can help you further navigate feelings of sadness and depression.”

Whitey and J.J. were lucky to come together just when they both needed a friend, and now they’re making a difference for others around them. With each person who watches their videos and hears their story, they’re paying forward that joy.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.