Adopting a shelter pet is always a joyous occasion, but some adopters go above and beyond to show just how much they care. That was exactly what happened recently when a man showed his dedication in a way that left no doubt of his commitment to a dog who had already stolen his heart. Drew, a man who had visited the Texas animal rescue Austin Pets Alive!, instantly connected with a two-year-old Shepherd mix named Julius. Drew and his partner spent just 30 minutes with the dog, but that short visit was enough to convince them that Julius was the perfect fit for their family.
Determined to adopt him, Drew made plans to return for a special Clear the Shelters event the rescue was hosting. However, Drew wasn’t going to take any chances. To make sure he would be the one to bring Julius home, he went the extra mile—arriving at the shelter a full two hours before the event began, just to be first in line.
“I can’t wait to see him again,” Drew said in a video posted by the rescue. “I want him to come home with me.”
His early arrival paid off. When the shelter staff brought Julius out to meet his new family, the dog’s reaction was priceless. Recognizing Drew and his partner from their earlier visit, Julius ran straight to them, his tail wagging in excitement. The joy was unmistakable—Julius had found his forever home with people who would always go the extra mile for him.
Austin Pets Alive! shared the touching moment on Instagram, and it quickly went viral, with people around the world moved by the story. “We’re not crying, you’re crying,” the rescue wrote. Fans of the video couldn’t help but share their excitement. “Omg look at him, he was so excited to see them!” one person commented. “That’s when you know they’re going to be best friends.”
Another follower added, “Aww, he was SO excited to see you! He knew you were his forever family!”
One sentiment rang true for many: “Julius knew exactly who his people were. He’s ready to go home!”
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In the end, Julius got more than just a loving family—he also got a new name. Now called Bumi, he’s settling into his new life, surrounded by love and devotion from the family determined to bring him home. Click ‘play’ below to watch Bumi unite with his new paw-rents.
Toledo, United States.
