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By Daniella Gray
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A family from Minnesota adopted a twice-surrendered senior dog, despite not being used to children.
Adopting Bruno was not on the cards for parents Amber and Mario Rodriguez. When Amber and her 14-year-old daughter were running errands, they spotted a small adoption event and headed over to give the dogs some attention.
Although they already had a 4-year-old chocolate Labrador at home, Amber recalled how Bruno had a magnet-like effect on her daughter.
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“My daughter immediately ran up to Bruno's kennel, and it was like she was stuck in cement,” Amber told Newsweek. “She didn't care to walk around and look at the other dogs, she just... talked to him and petted and kissed him.”
They left after a few minutes, but the teenager couldn’t stop talking about him. Before long, they found themselves turning the car around and heading back.
By the evening, Amber, Mario and all four of their children—14, 12, 9, and 5—had met him, each one instantly certain that Bruno belonged with them.
Amber posted a clip of Bruno’s journey on TikTok (@bruno.thesouldog). Over footage of the senior dog nestling into the children, she wrote: “Just because you adopt an older dog who previously wasn't with kids doesn't mean he wasn't meant to be…”
When the family adopted him, they had been told he was a stray. But weeks later, a former foster recognized Bruno on social media and reached out, revealing that he had actually been surrendered at least twice. The last home had been an older couple, and not much else was known.
“Bruno loves running around and playing with my kids and also loves snuggling and resting with them,” Amber said. “He also seems concerned and protective over them already. After seeing him with my kids, I just believe he is meant to be with my kids."
Amber said her daughter initially gravitated toward him because he “looked older and sad” and wasn’t getting much attention compared to the younger dogs.
Amber’s clip has clocked up over 91,000 views and dozens of comments. Users were moved to tears by how Bruno is now the center of the Rodriguez home.
“He may be an older dog but a home full of love will keep him young,” one user wrote.
“Sunday morning, coffee in hand and tearing up,” another added.
A third user joked, “Is someone chopping onions?”
Now deeply bonded with everyone, including the family’s two cats, Bruno lives like a dog who seems certain he has finally arrived where he was always meant to be.
“We haven’t taken one day for granted with him,” Amber said. “We are very blessed and grateful we found each other.”
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