Meet Tofu.

Amherst, MA · 7 years 6 months · Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler (medium coat)

Listed since Jun 10, 2026. Listing dates do not establish shelter intake or continuous availability.

First seen by Goodmorph Oct 30, 2026.

Rescue last updated: Jun 19, 2026

In the shelter’s words

Meet Tofu! A thoughtful seven-year-old Australian Cattle Dog currently in Richmond, VA, whose essence is a loyal heart wrapped in a handsome blue mottled coat. At 49 pounds, Tofu is the kind of companion who forms deep, meaningful bonds with the people he trusts. His journey has shaped him into a sensitive, intelligent boy who thrives when life feels calm, predictable, and secure. Once you are part of his inner circle, you will discover a dog who loves nothing more than being close to his favorite humans, whether that means stretching out beside you on the couch, joining you in the garden, or heading out for an exciting outdoor adventure! True to his breed, Tofu is exceptionally smart and enjoys having a job to do. He has completed formal training and proudly knows commands including sit, down, place, roll, heel, come, shake, and high five. He responds beautifully to structure and clear guidance, and having a confident caregiver helps him relax and feel at ease. When it comes to fun, Tofu is easy to entertain! Chew toys are among his greatest joys, and he can happily toss them in the air, carry them around, and create his own games. He is also an excellent hiking, walking, and running companion who loves exploring the outdoors right alongside his people. Tofu is looking for a calm, adult-only home with experienced pet parents who understand anxious or reactive dogs and are committed to thoughtful management and positive reinforcement. He is not comfortable around children and should live in a home without kids, as the unpredictability and activity that naturally come with young children can increase his anxiety. Since the arrival of a baby in his current family, his anxiety has increased, and he has lunged toward the child on a couple of occasions, leading his family to recognize that he would be happier in a quieter environment tailored to his needs. Tofu can also be cautious around unfamiliar people and prefers slow, structured introductions. He has had several fear-based nip incidents when strangers attempted to make direct eye contact with him or pet him before he felt comfortable. He consistently gives warning signs beforehand. When introductions are handled thoughtfully and his need for space is honored, Tofu settles in well and often chooses to quietly observe or simply ignore visitors while he becomes comfortable. One of Tofu’s most charming qualities is his flexibility. He can spend the day conquering a trail or happily nap at your feet while you work. He gets along well with most other dogs, can live with a confident cat, rides nicely in the car, and loves being included in everyday life! Tofu is ready for a new loving home where his intelligence, loyalty, and affectionate nature can shine. Could you be the patient, understanding person who helps Tofu begin his next great adventure? To learn more about adopting him, please contact adopt@joyfulpets.com! Content Notice: This pet is represented by Joyful Pets. All photos, descriptions, and behavioral summaries are proprietary and may not be republished, altered, or used by third-party platforms. Any unapproved aggregation or rewriting of this listing is strictly prohibited.

RescueGroups record ID: 22539384

What this home needs

• Other dogs

  Mentioned by the shelter

  “Feed checkbox: Yes”

  Not a verified observation — ask staff about the context. A positive shelter report may support search results; it remains unverified and needs confirmation.

  Shelter statement ↗
• Children

  Mentioned by the shelter

  “Feed checkbox: No”

  Not a verified observation — ask staff about the context. A positive shelter report may support search results; it remains unverified and needs confirmation.

  Shelter statement ↗
• Still to ask the shelter

  cats · housing and stairs · medical and care. These details are not documented here; unknown does not mean no.

Roster last seen: Nov 2, 2026, 6:10 AM UTC
Goodmorph last synced: Nov 2, 2026, 6:10 AM UTC
Availability confirmed by a person: Not confirmed

Shelter staff and authorized volunteers: add a dated observation

This shared profile remains available for up to 90 days after it leaves the source roster, unless removal is requested sooner. Adoptions and applications are handled by the shelter.