It started with a Corgi in a backpack on a crowded New York City subway and a whole lot of smiles.
Bryan Reisberg noticed that riding around town with his dog Maxine had an unexpected effect on people. Stress softened. Faces lit up. Strangers laughed at the sight of a cheerful pup peeking out from a backpack during their daily commute.
Before long, videos of Maxine’s city adventures took off online, earning millions of views and turning her into what Reisberg calls “the dog in the backpack.” The viral success eventually led him to leave his job and launch a dog backpack brand called Little Chonk.
But the idea didn’t stop there.
Encouraged by a friend, Reisberg teamed up with Best Friends Animal Society to see if his viral formula could help shelter dogs find homes. Now, each week, he picks up a shelter dog, straps them into a backpack labeled “Adopt Me,” and takes them out into the city, filming their subway rides, sidewalk strolls, and sweet interactions with New Yorkers.
The results have been remarkable. So far, 11 dogs have been featured, and every one has been adopted except for one with ongoing medical needs. According to Best Friends Animal Society CEO Julie Castle, the shelter has seen about 100 more adoptions than this time last year, a boost she says is likely tied to Reisberg’s videos.
One recent star was Bertha, a 6-year-old, 65-pound white dog who rode piggyback through Queens, soaked up affection, and won hearts both in person and online. Commenters flooded the post with praise and hope for her future.
They didn’t have to wait long.
Reisberg soon shared the update many were hoping for. Bertha was adopted by a family on Long Island, complete with a big house and a new happily ever after.
As one commenter perfectly summed it up, sometimes your best friend is out there and you just haven’t met them yet.
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