Saving Dogs One Subway Ride At A Time
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What began as a simple way for a New York City filmmaker to take his dog to work has turned into a unique effort to help shelter dogs find homes.
It all started in 2015, when Bryan Reisberg and his wife welcomed a Corgi named Maxine into their lives. Bryan worked in advertising and film in New York City and began bringing Maxine with him on his daily commute. The city's subway rules require dogs to be enclosed in a carrier, so Bryan carried Maxine in a backpack. Her fluffy face peeking over Bryan’s shoulder became a familiar sight on the train, bringing smiles to fellow commuters.
Encouraged by the attention Maxine received, Bryan began sharing photos and videos of her subway rides on social media. The first videos got more than 75 million views, turning Maxine into an instant internet sensation. She soon became known as "the dog in the backpack" and gained a huge following.
In 2025, Maxine developed arthritis and had to take a break from her daily subway adventures. That’s when Bryan’s friend Chris Equale suggested using Maxine’s online fame to help shelter dogs find homes.
Bryan loved the idea and teamed up with Best Friends Animal Society’s Pet Adoption Center in New York. Since then, about once a week, he straps one of their dogs onto his back in a carrier fitted with an "Adopt Me" patch. Bryan then takes the dog on a tour of New York City. He records these outings and shares them with his millions of followers on social media. Viewers can see the animal running through a park, enjoying a treat, greeting strangers, or giving Bryan a slobbery kiss.
"Shelters are loud, stressful environments that can make dogs appear anxious or withdrawn," Bryan said. "Getting them out into the city lets prospective adopters see their true, relaxed personalities outside of a kennel."
The project has been a huge success. As of June 2026, Bryan had helped 20 shelter dogs find permanent homes. Best Friends Animal Society has also seen a huge uptick in adoptions across the country since 2025. The organization can’t attribute the entire increase to Bryan. But it believes he is playing a huge role.
"It’s probably the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done," Bryan said. "By bringing these dogs out of the shelter and onto the street, we’re giving them the platform they deserve to find a family."
Resources: People.com, Goodnewsnetwork.com, Washingtonpost.com, Wikipedia.org
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63 Comments
cows149 daysit is sweet
july7008aek9 daysthis is so cute
wolf139 daysI ❤️ dogs- wolf139 daysI ❤️ dogs
dogeluvva989 daysAwwwwwww so cute- dogeluvva989 daysSo cute and heartwaming😊
- dogeluvva989 daysA loo cuts and heartwarming
imcoolbruh10 daysthat is really cool and sad
cigucojuhogy11 daysI hope some days dogs can find homes cuz it's really sassy and they put in a shelter or a pound it's really not cool I hope the best for dogs- cigucojuhogy11 daysI want to pet him
zycujamyvuwe6 dayscan I pet it through the screen? It's too fluffy.
