A rescue dog who spent more than a year sleeping on the shelter floor has finally been given his own bed—and he didn’t waste any time before claiming his new favorite spot.
After arriving at the Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption & Protection Center in Florida in July 2023, Ace spent 420 days waiting to be adopted. During that time, he had only a flimsy blanket on the floor to sleep on.
However, all that changed in October 2024, when Ace caught the attention of Gabrielle Brudner, 22, and her family. The sight of Ace struggling to get comfortable on the floor instantly made her want to help this poor pup.
“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.”
Her family originally only planned to foster him during Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm that made landfall in Florida on October 9. However, after just a few days together, Brudner couldn’t bear the thought of sending Ace back to the shelter, and, on October 30, he was officially adopted.
After he became an official member of the family, Ace was even surprised with his own bed to mark the occasion. As soon as the plush, gray bed and blanket was brought out for him, he leaped straight on and stretched out.
“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,” Brudner continued.
Ace has been making the most of his new bed by sleeping a lot more now as he’s enjoying “the peaceful atmosphere and added comfort.” Brudner couldn’t be happier that Ace now has such a cozy place to unwind, which she says is a dramatic shift from the hard shelter floor and constant noise.
“We chose an antianxiety 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.
She shared a heartwarming video on TikTok (@gabriellelisa) of the moment Ace tested out his new bed, and it delighted internet users. She has been amazed by the overwhelmingly positive response to the clip, which has gained more than 355,000 views and over 39,900 likes on TikTok so far.
Although Ace was only supposed to be a temporary foster, Brudner hopes this will encourage others to consider adopting from a rescue center or shelter. A simple thing such as a dog bed means the world to Ace, who is so incredibly thankful for everything his new family gives him.
“Many people thanked us for rescuing him, especially as he was at risk of euthanasia. I hope his story inspires more people to adopt and give these loving dogs a chance,” Brudner said.
“I’m deeply grateful to the amazing staff and volunteers at Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption & Protection Center for their dedication to these animals. If possible, please consider donating blankets or towels to your local shelters—they’re always needed.”
Plenty of TikTok users hailed the clip of Ace sprawling out on his new bed, leading to 1,000 comments at the time of writing.
One reads: “My heart is full seeing him flop onto that bed, happy doggo! Thank you for saving him.”
Another TikTok user wrote: “omg [oh my God] him plopping on that bed and just being so happy melts my heart.”
A third commented: “The sploot in the doughnut bed made my heart so happy!”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
The post Tears at Shelter Dog’s Reaction to Bed After Sleeping on Floor for 420 Days appeared first on Newsweek.
