A dog fostered during Hurricane Milton and subsequently adopted by a family had the most heartwarming reaction to getting his first bed.
Baby Ace spent over a year sleeping on the shelter floor. During his 420 days in the Florida shelter, he only had a thin blanket on the hard concrete to lie on.
That all changed in October 2024, when Gabrielle Brudner and her family noticed that Ace couldn’t get comfortable on the floor of the Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption & Protection Center.
“It was heartbreaking to see such a loving dog resting on a thin blanket on a hard floor,” Brudner told Newsweek. “He deserved so much more comfort, and he has visible sores from repeatedly lying on the hard ground.”
@gabriellelisa Lets find him a forever home ❤️ #hurricanemilton #onlyindade #adoptdontshop #fosterfail #adoptionjourney #fosterdog #southflorida #universityofmiami #miamidade ♬ Home – Phillip Phillips
Brudner and her family had initially planned just to foster Ace during the hurricane, helping him get adopted. But after only a few days with him, they realized they wanted to keep him.
When Brudner and her dad went back to the shelter to bring him home, Ace was beyond excited. Once he was in the car, he instantly relaxed, clearly relieved they’d come back for him.
@gabriellelisa #miami #hurricanemilton #fosterdog #adoptdontshop #ace #babyace #adoptionjourney #pitbull #bullterrier ♬ original sound – Gabrielle
Shortly after, it was time to settle in at home and that included giving Ace his very own bed. And the moment he saw the plush comfortable bed, he “splooted” right onto it.
@gabriellelisa Giving our shelter dog the life he deserves ❤️ #miami #hurricanemilton #fosterdog #adoptdontshop #ace #babyace #adoptionjourney #pitbull #bullterrier ♬ To Build A Home – The Cinematic Orchestra & Patrick Watson
“We chose an anti anxiety bed from Amazon, knowing it would offer the comfort he’s missed. Our previous dog had the same bed and loved it, so we felt it would be perfect for Ace after the shelter,” Brudner said.
The family became emotional watching him react to his new bed and blanket. Brudner shared, “Watching him relax in it was so moving. He seemed to melt right into it, probably experiencing true comfort for the first time. His gratitude was palpable — he keeps showing us how much he appreciates it, as if he doesn’t take any comfort for granted.”
Viewers also reacted to Ace’s joyful response. One viewer commented, “My heart is full seeing him flop onto that bed, happy doggo! Thank you for saving him.”
Another wrote, “The way he plopped on that fluffy beanie bed…oh my heart. He knows he’s home.”
A third added, “The sploot in the doughnut bed made my heart so happy!”
Brudner encouraged dog lovers to donate blankets and towels to their local shelters, as these items are always needed.
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