Student becomes unexpected animal advocate

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Rachel McConn never planned on adopting a dog. And surely, Toby never could've expected he'd end up living at a luxury apartment in the Galleria area.

"Things just happened," McConn laughed.

Toby's story starts in Houston's Third Ward. He and five brothers and sisters were born in an abandoned lot. Christina Ott saw them while driving home from class at the University of Houston.

"I saw puppies and my heart got stuck to them and I had to do something," Ott said. "But no. I don't do this regularly. I have no idea how to go about it. I mean, I watch a lot of Animal Planet, but that's about it."

What Christina lacks in technical know-how, she more than makes up for in heart. She built traps herself to catch the dogs. And they came right to her.

She has since found new homes for all the dogs. Volunteers are even coming forward to pay for veterinary care.

"Obsessed with them now," Ott said. "They are my children that I'm very protective over."

As for Toby, he ended up losing a leg. But now, nothing can stop him from running.

"Just the fact that he's gone through so much and he's just happy," McConn said. "Keep smiling, keep running around, and try your hardest."

If you'd like to help Toby and his family, go to www.gofundme.com/save-Toby.