Why This Man Carries Shelter Dogs Around New York?

You know that feeling when something small completely shifts your perspective? That’s exactly what happened to Bryan Reisberg one ordinary morning on the New York City subway.

Bryan had a Corgi named Maxine. And like any good dog dad in a city where cars are optional but dogs are essential, he’d pop her into his backpack and take her everywhere. The subway, the coffee shop, the park—Maxine was always riding along, her fluffy face poking out between his shoulders.

But here’s the thing Bryan started noticing: people couldn’t stop smiling.

Tired commuters. Stressed professionals. Teenagers glued to their phones. The moment they spotted Maxine peeking out of that backpack, something shifted. Shoulders relaxed. Eyes softened. Complete strangers would break into the kind of genuine smile you rarely see on a Monday morning train.

Bryan started filming these little moments and sharing them online. The videos blew up—millions of views, Maxine becoming a minor internet celebrity. But Bryan wasn’t thinking about fame. He was thinking about something else entirely.

If one dog can bring this much joy to so many people… what if I could use this for something bigger?

From Viral Videos to Saving Lives

That question led Bryan to launch Little Chonk, a dog backpack company with a mission that goes way beyond selling gear. He partnered with Best Friends Animal Society, one of the largest animal rescue organizations in the country, and came up with a beautifully simple idea.

Every week, Bryan picks up a different shelter dog. He straps on a backpack marked “Adopt Me” and walks through the city with that pup riding along. He films everything—the curious looks, the happy tail wags, the way each dog’s unique personality shines through in a crowded subway car or a busy sidewalk.

And people? They absolutely love it.

The videos rack up millions of views. Comments flood in from people who’ve never even been to New York, falling in love with dogs they’ve never met. And most importantly—those dogs are finding homes.

The Numbers Tell a Beautiful Story

So far, Bryan has featured 11 shelter dogs in his backpack adventures. Out of those 11, 10 have been adopted. The only one still waiting is a pup dealing with some medical challenges—but even that dog now has visibility and support that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.

Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, says the impact goes beyond individual adoptions. The shelter has seen roughly 100 more adoptions compared to the same period last year. Staff morale has lifted. There’s a renewed sense that what they do matters—that these dogs aren’t invisible.

More Than Numbers

For Bryan, this was never really about going viral or building a brand. Every dog he carries is a reminder of something that genuinely baffles him:

“It’s wild to me that so many of these dogs don’t have loving families. These are incredible pets, and I think that’s what people might not realize.”

And he’s right. Shelter dogs often get overlooked because people don’t see them the way Bryan’s videos let them be seen. Not as statistics. Not as “rescue cases.” Just as dogs—goofy, lovable, ready-for-adventure dogs who happen to be waiting for someone to give them a chance.

When you watch one of Bryan’s videos, you’re not watching a sad commercial asking for donations. You’re watching a happy dog experiencing New York City from a backpack, tail wagging, ears perked, looking at the world with that unmistakable doggy curiosity. And suddenly, you’re not thinking “poor shelter dog.” You’re thinking “I want that dog.”

That shift in perspective? That’s everything.

What This Means for Shelter Dogs Everywhere

Bryan’s approach proves something important: visibility changes everything. When shelter dogs are seen—really seen, as the individual personalities they are—people connect with them. They stop being abstract and start being that adorable pup I saw on Instagram who loved riding through Times Square.

It doesn’t take a massive organization or a million-dollar campaign. Sometimes it just takes one person, one backpack, and the willingness to show up consistently.

Maybe you can’t carry shelter dogs through Manhattan. But you can share their stories. You can visit your local shelter and take photos. You can talk about adoption instead of shopping. Small actions, done with heart, add up to real change.

Because at the end of the day, every shelter dog is just waiting to be someone’s Maxine—the companion who makes strangers smile, who turns a boring commute into a moment of connection, who reminds us that joy is often simpler than we think.

Sometimes all it takes is giving them a chance to be seen. 🐕