New York Man Carries 60-Pound Shelter Dogs Through The Subway, And His Perfect Track Record Is Changing Lives
Commuters are used to seeing strange things on the subway, but a man carrying a 60-pound pit bull on his back is stopping people in their tracks for a beautiful reason.
An Unusual Commuter
Commuters in New York City are used to seeing unusual sights on their way home. But spotting a man carrying a 60-pound dog on his back is enough to make anyone stop and stare.
Bryan has become a familiar face on the internet and the subway lines alike. He carries adoptable shelter dogs around the bustling city in a specially designed backpack.
The goal is simple but incredibly powerful: to do on-the-spot meet and greets with the public. By bringing the dogs directly to the people, he hopes to help them find their forever homes.
It’s a heavy lifting job, both physically and emotionally, but Bryan is completely devoted to the mission.
Meeting Misty
The journey begins at the Best Friends Animal Society in SoHo. This is where Bryan meets the adoptable dogs who will join him for the day.
On this particular day, his companion is a sweet dog named Misty. She is the shelter’s adoptable dog of the day, and she instantly melts into Bryan’s arms.
Misty is missing an eye due to a past injury, but her spirit remains completely unbroken. She is described as the happiest bundle of energy, ready to take on the city.
A Perfect Track Record
Taking a dog out into the loud, crowded city might seem daunting, but Bryan has a system that works miracles.
Misty’s outing marks Bryan’s 14th dog subway ride. Remarkably, all 13 of his previous backpack rides have led directly to adoptions.
With such an incredible success rate, the pressure is on to make sure Misty’s day out is just as magical. He carefully loads her into the backpack, and they set off for their first stop.
Navigating The Rules
Their first major destination is Central Park, but getting there requires a ride on the subway. New York has a strict rule that dogs aren’t allowed to walk on the subway floor.
Instead of being offended by the rule, Bryan found a creative workaround. His backpack allows the dogs to ride comfortably and legally, taking in the sights from over his shoulder.
Misty proves to be a natural traveler. She stays calm and curious, taking in the sounds of the train and the faces of the strangers passing by.
Inspired By Maxine
Bryan’s unique backpacking journey didn’t start with shelter dogs. It actually began during his daily commutes with his own dog, Maxine.
He quickly realized that none of the existing dog backpacks on the market were comfortable enough for her to ride in safely.
Not one to give up, Bryan casually designed his very own doggy backpack line. It was the perfect solution for Maxine, but it was about to become something much bigger.
A Life-Changing Mission
Once the backpacks were created, a friend gave Bryan a brilliant suggestion. They told him he should take shelter dogs out for rides to help them get adopted.
Bryan decided to give it a try, and the experience completely shifted his perspective. "From the first moment I took a dog out in a backpack that wasn’t my own, I fell in love," he recalls.
He became deeply passionate about adoptable dogs, shelters, and the tireless work being done at Best Friends Animal Society. He admits the experience completely changed his life.
Spoiling The Adoptables
With Misty safely in tow, Bryan heads to Union Square to give her the ultimate day out. Part of the process involves spoiling the dogs so their true personalities can shine.
They make a special stop at Petco, where Bryan lets the adoptable dogs pick out new toys. Misty is showered with compliments from strangers, with one passerby exclaiming, "Oh my God, she’s beautiful!"
No city outing would be complete without a sweet treat. They head to Starbucks next, where Misty happily enjoys a well-deserved pup cup.
Hoping For A Forever Family
As they walk through the streets, people can’t help but smile. One person even tells Bryan that he is definitely cheering people up in these dismal times.
Finally, the day winds down, and it is time to head back to the shelter. Misty proved to be an incredibly well-behaved girl who simply wants someone to love her.
Bryan and the shelter staff are holding onto hope that her day in the city will work its magic. They know that somewhere out there, the perfect person is waiting to share all of Misty’s happiness and joy.
