It all began with a single Corgi riding quietly inside a backpack on a crowded New York City subway.
When Bryan Reisberg noticed how his dog Maxine affected people during their daily underground commutes, he knew something special was happening. Stern faces softened. Tired eyes lit up. For a brief moment, stress melted away.
After all, it’s hard not to smile when a Corgi is gazing at you from a backpack.
Reisberg began sharing videos of Maxine’s city adventures online — walks through neighborhoods, subway rides, everyday moments that felt extraordinary simply because of her presence. Before long, Maxine became a viral sensation, earning millions of views and a global nickname: “the dog in the backpack.”
“She was known all over the world,” Reisberg later told The Washington Post. “It was completely unexpected.”
The attention changed his life. Reisberg eventually left his job and created Little Chonk, a dog backpack brand inspired by Maxine’s fame. But it was a friend’s suggestion that truly reshaped his purpose: What if this could help shelter dogs, too?
That question led Reisberg to Best Friends Animal Society, where together they came up with a simple yet powerful idea.
Each week, Reisberg picks up a shelter dog, places them gently into one of his backpacks labeled “Adopt Me,” and takes them out into the city. He films their day — riding the subway, strolling through neighborhoods, meeting strangers, soaking up affection — and transforms dogs who may have spent months overlooked in shelters into social media stars.
So far, his videos have racked up more than 75 million views.
“It’s an incredible morale boost,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “When Bryan uses his platform to promote adoption, he’s a hero — not just to the dogs, but to our staff too.”
The results speak for themselves.
Eleven dogs have been featured so far, and all but one — who is still dealing with medical issues — have been adopted. Even more remarkably, shelter adoptions overall have jumped significantly. According to Castle, around 100 more dogs have found homes compared to the same period last year.
And many believe the backpack made all the difference.
One recent star was Bertha, a chunky, 6-year-old white dog weighing around 65 pounds. Bertha rode piggyback through Queens, took the subway, handed out slobbery kisses, and captured hearts across New York — and the internet.
“Well this lovely video should have potential adopters lined up around the block,” one Instagram user commented.
“What a beauty!” wrote another. “Bertha, your happily ever after is coming.”
They were right.
Not long after, Reisberg shared the update everyone hoped for:
Bertha had been adopted by a loving family on Long Island, complete with a big house and a new beginning.
“Perfect way to get the word out about beautiful souls who are alone and need love,” one commenter wrote.
“Your best friend is waiting for you and you don’t even realize it,” said another.
“I cry happy tears every time you post one of these,” someone else shared. “My heart gets so warm.”
What started as a Corgi in a backpack has become something far bigger — a reminder that small, creative acts of kindness can change lives.
Sometimes, all it takes is letting the world see an animal not as a shelter number, but as a friend waiting to be found.
