Shelter Dog Bear Trades Kennel Songs for a Shotgun Seat

Julie Saraceno does not get many mornings like this one. As a shelter volunteer who posts as @jsaraceno, she wrote that she very rarely gets to see dogs go home — so watching Bear walk out felt especially big.

Bear had been surrendered on September 9 after his first mom became pregnant and could no longer care for him. In the kennel, Julie wrote in her caption, he was so sad he would "just sing… constantly, asking to be let out." On the clip she called the crying "utter heartbreaking."

Adoption day at the Roger W. James Animal Adoption Center looked like a proper send-off. Staff carried his bed, a bag of food, and a pile of toys while Bear tried to claim a bright plush for himself on the way through the hallway. Outside, he posed with his new parents. Then he claimed the front passenger seat for the ride home, the plush tucked beside him on the blanket.

Julie was already getting messages from his new mom before the day was over. "Thank goodness he found his new family," she wrote. "They are super sweet and have been sending updates."