He Spent All of His Days Alone on a Balcony—Until a Stranger Fought to Save Him
At just 16 months old, Harry should have been chasing tennis balls, snuggling on the couch, and living the pampered life every Corgi deserves. Instead, he spent his days and nights alone on a filthy and tiny 1.5-meter balcony in Melbourne, Australia, pacing anxiously as the world passed him by. (Watch Video Below)
@heliabdollahi For the past three months, I’ve witnessed a little corgi trapped on a tiny 1.5m balcony of an apartment at 135 A’Beckett St (facing the south side, around level 8 or 9). Rain or shine, day or night—he is always out there. Alone. Cold. Barking. Spinning in circles. No toys, no bed, no food in sight. Just concrete. And silence. (This video is a short sped-up compilation) I reported this to RSPCA Victoria on June 1st, and followed it with emails, detailed descriptions, and video evidence—yet nothing has changed. Just this morning, in the freezing Melbourne rain, he was still out there. Last week, my housemate heard him crying and barking late at night. It was too dark to record, but we both knew what we were hearing. This isn’t a one-off. This is chronic neglect. I’ve seen him spin on that tiny balcony floor endlessly—a heartbreaking sign of anxiety and psychological distress. I’ve seen his tail wag when the owner comes out, desperately trying to connect. But the owner doesn’t even acknowledge him. Doesn’t pet him. Doesn’t let him inside. The corgi literally hesitates to step over the threshold, like he’s been conditioned to know he’s not allowed inside his own home. One time, the owner came out to sweep what looked like three separate piles of faeces—each one enough to fill a dustpan (as seen in video). That means this dog had been left out there long enough to go to the toilet multiple times, alone, without being walked or cared for. You don’t need to be an animal behaviourist to see that this dog is not okay. This is emotional abuse, and it’s completely preventable. Melbourne is freezing right now—I can barely handle the cold inside my apartment. I can’t even imagine how this small dog is surviving out there night after night. I’ve done what I can behind the scenes, but nothing is changing. So now, I’m turning to all of you. Please help me get RSPCA Victoria’s attention. Share this video. Tag them. Comment. Make noise. Demand accountability. And if someone from RSPCA sees this: I’ve even offered to foster him. I’ll care for him until he finds a permanent home. But right now, he’s suffering. Please do something. @RSPCA Victoria #RSPCAVictoria #AnimalNeglect #MelbourneDogs #AnimalAbuseAwareness #DogNeglect #AnimalWelfare #MelbournePetCommunity #Melbournepetrescue #dogsofvictoria #RSPCA #dogs #corgi #fyp #Melbourne ♬ original sound – heliabdollahi
Known then as “Trump,” Harry lived in a luxury apartment complex that promised comfort, but behind closed doors, his reality was anything but, according to news.com.au. For three long months, a concerned neighbor, Helia Abdollahi, quietly documented Harry’s heartbreaking isolation. That neighbor’s determination to speak up would change everything.
Neglected in the Winter
Harry’s life on the balcony wasn’t just lonely; it was deprived of basic needs. In the bitter cold of Melbourne’s winter in July, the little Corgi had almost no protection from the harsh elements. His only “shelter” was a basic wooden kennel shoved into a corner, with no proper bedding to keep him warm or comfortable.
The concerned neighbor, Helia, eventually shared the footage publicly. In the video, Harry spins in tight circles on the narrow balcony, which Helia calls “a heartbreaking sign of anxiety and psychological distress.”
Sometimes, his owner would briefly step outside. Harry’s entire body would light up with hope, his tail wagging eagerly for even the smallest bit of affection. But time and again, that hope was crushed as he was ignored without so much as a pat.
What’s even more heartbreaking? Harry never tried to step inside. He seemed to know the invisible boundary, that he wasn’t welcome beyond the balcony door.
Helia called the entire ordeal emotionally abusive for the dog. She noted, “Melbourne is freezing right now. I can barely handle the cold inside my apartment. I can’t even imagine how this small dog is surviving out there night after night.”
Getting Harry To Safety Proved Difficult
Harry’s story quickly struck a chord, racking up over 200,000 views and sparking outrage across Australia from people demanding better for the little Corgi. But getting him to safety was far from simple.
Helia did everything she could, filing reports with the RSPCA, submitting detailed videos, and reaching out to rescues and local authorities. Still, the law limited what could be done. Despite two visits, the RSPCA couldn’t take Harry, as Victorian legislation only permits pets seizure in very specific cases like entanglement or starvation.
At last, with mounting public pressure and growing support from animal welfare groups, the owner agreed to surrender Harry to the council on July 11, a decision both parties recognized was in the dog’s best interest.
Journey To Happy Ending
Harry ended up at Lost Dogs’ Home, an animal rescue organization in Victoria, Australia. When he was finally made available for adoption, nearly 400 people stepped up, hoping to give him the life he deserved.
The little dog arrived at the shelter frightened and unsure how to simply be a dog. But beneath the fear was a playful spirit waiting to shine. Once he feels safe, his joy is unmistakable—chasing balls, cuddling soft toys, and soaking in every bit of human affection he once went without.
After carefully reviewing the overwhelming number of applications, the rescue ultimately chose Arron and Karen to be Harry’s new family. The couple already have a Corgi named Maya, so Harry isn’t just gaining loving parents, but also a furry sister to play with and help him adjust to his new life.
In a recent update by his family, Harry’s new pictures show how well he is transitioning into his new home filled with love, care, and playtime.
Harry’s story touched thousands, but it also revealed a hard truth: breed often shapes how much attention a rescue dog gets. As a Corgi, Harry’s cuteness and internet-friendly appeal helped him stand out. Additionally, Queen Elizabeth II’s fondness for Corgis have made them a popular breed worldwide.
Meanwhile, countless other dogs are overlooked simply because they’re not as trendy or recognizable. If Harry’s journey moved you, consider adopting a dog who isn’t viral, just quietly waiting for a second chance. Visit a dog shelter or rescue near you today.
