Few people don’t love surprises. Whether it’s something as simple as a box of chocolates or something more extravagant like a new mobile phone, that unexpected feeling of joy is simply priceless.
Sometimes, though, people don’t need a special occasion to surprise someone they care about. They simply do it because they want to spread some kindness. That’s exactly what one woman did after returning from a trip to Florida with her husband.
Though she had gone to the grocery store, this woman came home with something far bigger than the groceries—and it completely surprised her husband.
Overcrowded Shelter
As soon as Elaine Buhs and her husband returned to their home in Des Moines, Iowa, Elaine headed out to the grocery store for a few essentials. She did indeed pick up her groceries, but on her way back, she made an unexpected stop at the Animal Rescue League Of Iowa, a shelter where she volunteered.
At that moment, she realized that the shelter was overcrowded, and in her good mood, she decided to take action.
When she returned to the car, the front seat was filled with bread, milk, and other groceries, and Buddy, a 10-month-old Great Pyrenees mix, was in the back.
Elaine, who is also a content creator, shared a video of her spontaneous decision on TikTok through her account, @dog_momdsm.
“Our shelter is getting overcrowded with dogs, so I decided to pick up a foster. Four beautiful dogs came in undersocialized. One got adopted, and 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❤️❤️❤️,” Elaine wrote in the video caption.
TikTok users responded warmly with many positive comments.
“Wow! Absolutely beautiful 🥰,” one woman wrote. Another added, “He’s a handsome boy. Thank you so much for fostering!!”
“Now keep him ❤️🐾,” joked a third.
A Big Furry Surprise
When Elaine entered the shelter, she had asked for a small puppy or one that was exhausted from the shelter environment. The staff quickly recommended a 10-month-old Great Pyrenees mix who was in desperate need of a break. Before she saw him, Elaine had imagined a tiny puppy—something small enough to fit in the palm of her hand.
She was shocked when she saw that Buddy was nearly the size of a small horse! Not only was he massive, but he was also undersocialized, having come from a farm where he was part of an unwanted litter.
Once they arrived home, Buddy was so nervous that Elaine couldn’t even bring him inside the house.
Elaine called her husband for help, and he rushed to the car, thinking he was going to help bring in the groceries. But he was stunned when he saw Elaine struggling with a huge dog. Even more surprising was the fact that Buddy was just a puppy. Despite the challenges, they managed to get the big dog inside.
For a while, Buddy hid under tables, running away from people, but after a while, he began to relax and settle into his new home. This big furry surprise will stay in his temporary home until he overcomes his nervousness.
While Buddy’s unexpected arrival wasn’t exactly the kind of surprise Elaine’s husband had in mind, he eventually grew fond of the big dog. And, despite everything, he was pleased to know that Buddy’s stay was truly a good deed.