Surprises come in all shapes and sizes, and for one Iowa couple, a recent surprise was bigger—literally—than they ever could have imagined. Elaine Buhs, a volunteer at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in Des Moines, had just returned from a trip to Florida with her husband when she decided to make a quick grocery run. What started as a simple errand to pick up essentials ended with an unexpected addition to their household. Elaine didn’t just return with bread and milk; she came home with Buddy, a 10-month-old Great Pyrenees mix, and her husband’s reaction said it all.
On her way back from the store, Elaine stopped by the animal shelter where she regularly volunteers. Overcrowded with dogs, the shelter was in desperate need of help. Moved by the situation and feeling a spark of inspiration, Elaine decided to foster one of the dogs. Once back in her car, her groceries sat on the front seat while Buddy, the shy and oversized pup, occupied the back.
Elaine, a content creator, documented the experience in a video shared on TikTok via her account, @dog_momdsm. In her post, she explained why she decided to bring Buddy home: “Our shelter is getting overcrowded with dogs, so I decided to pick up a foster. Four beautiful dogs came in under-socialized. One got adopted, one went to foster right away. There were two left, so I took this nervous nelly. I’m gonna lay by him all night and see how it goes.”
At the shelter, Elaine had asked for a smaller, calmer dog, thinking it would be an easy fit for her home. Staff members suggested Buddy, a nervous 10-month-old Great Pyrenees mix who needed a break from the shelter environment. Elaine imagined she’d be picking up a small, manageable puppy. When she met Buddy, she was shocked—he was enormous, closer in size to a small horse than a little dog.
@dog_momdsm Our shelter is getting overcrowded with dogs so I decided to pick up a foster. Four beautiful dogs came in under socialized. One got adopted, one went to foster right away. There were two left so I took this nervous nelly. I’m gonna lay by him all night and see how it goes❤️❤️❤️#adoptdontshop #rescuedog #shelterdog #savealifeadoptapet #shelterlife #shelterdogsoftiktok #savealife ♬ Stuck in the Middle with You – Rerecorded – Stealers Wheel
Buddy had spent his early months on a farm as part of an unwanted litter, leaving him severely undersocialized. When Elaine brought him home, he was so anxious that she couldn’t even coax him inside. Needing help, she called her husband to assist. Expecting to carry in groceries, he was stunned to find Elaine struggling with a massive, nervous puppy.
Despite the unexpected challenge, they managed to get Buddy inside. At first, he hid under tables and avoided contact, clearly overwhelmed by his new surroundings. But with time and patience, Buddy began to relax and adjust to life in his temporary home.
Though Buddy wasn’t quite the surprise Elaine’s husband was expecting, he quickly warmed to the gentle giant. Elaine’s good deed not only helped Buddy find a safe haven, but it also brought the couple a shared sense of purpose. While Buddy’s stay with them is temporary, his journey toward confidence and security has begun, all thanks to Elaine and her husband’s kindness.
Shockingly, this is not the first time she has faced animal cruelty charges; she has a past conviction for similar crimes. We must ensure that no more animals suffer or die in her care!
PUPDATE: Buddy got adopted! In a video shared by Elaine, we can see Buddy celebrating the good news with the cutest moves. He meets his new brother and they’re a match made in heaven! This is why fosters are so important. Here’s to a wonderful new life, Buddy!
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@dog_momdsm Great News!!!! Buddy got adopted last week and he’s doing GREAT in his new home!!! He has an awesome family, a new brother and some chickens to watch over.#adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #fosterdog #rescuedog #fosterdogsoftiktok ♬ Home – Daughtry
Toledo, United States.
