On October 19, 2025, Brunson had a pretty special job. Dressed as a basketball player, the friendly two-year-old dog was helping lead New York City's famous Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade as one of its canine Grand Marshals. Surrounded by elaborate costumes and excited crowds, he was getting the kind of attention most dogs could only dream of.
But just a few months earlier, Brunson had been in a very different place. He'd arrived at a shelter severely underweight, weak, and in need of urgent medical care. His appearance at the Halloween parade was already a remarkable turnaround, but the happiest part of his story was still to come.
From a Rough Start to the Halloween Spotlight
Brunson arrived at a Queens animal shelter in May 2025 alongside five other neglected dogs. The group was transferred to the ASPCA for treatment, and Brunson was in particularly poor condition. He spent five days in intensive care before beginning a gradual recovery.
With proper nutrition, medical attention, and plenty of care, he slowly regained his strength. By July, he was healthy enough for adoption, and the ASPCA staff had discovered just how affectionate and sociable he could be. Brunson loved meeting people, especially anyone willing to give him some attention.
When October came around, he was chosen to participate in the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. His basketball costume was a playful nod to his name, inspired by the New York Knicks. It was a wonderful opportunity for Brunson to meet new people and show everyone the happy, healthy dog he'd become.
But even after his big day in the spotlight, Brunson was still waiting for a family of his own.
She Expected a Puppy. Then She Met Brunson.
Around the same time, a woman named Lindsay was considering adopting another dog. She'd lost her previous companion four years earlier and wasn't entirely sure she was ready. When she finally visited the ASPCA, she imagined finding a friendly, affectionate puppy who could join her on everyday adventures.
An adoption counselor had another idea: Brunson.
Lindsay had already met a puppy and was nearly ready to leave when she agreed to meet Brunson outside. Despite the busy New York City sidewalk, he sat calmly as she approached. Then, as soon as Lindsay reached down to pet him, he leaned into her, gave her a big, goofy smile, and rolled onto his back for a belly rub.
Before long, Lindsay was sitting on the sidewalk beside him, smiling just as much. It wasn't the meeting she'd imagined, and Brunson certainly wasn't the puppy she'd expected. But something about that big, affectionate dog stayed with her.
Over the following days, Lindsay couldn't stop thinking about him. She returned to spend more time together, and soon Brunson was heading home with his new favorite person.
A New Name and a Very Happy Life
Today, Brunson goes by Neptune, and he's making the most of his new life with Lindsay. He enjoys exploring the city, swimming, and curling up for cuddles, although fitting a 70-pound dog onto someone's lap isn't always the easiest arrangement.
He also has a rather impressive talent: carrying two tennis balls in his mouth at once. At the dog park, he's been known to collect both balls and refuse to give either up, leaving Lindsay to negotiate with a dog who apparently believes one tennis ball simply isn't enough.
It's a lovely ending for a dog who had such a difficult start. Lindsay went to the shelter imagining a puppy, but instead found a grown dog with a huge personality and an even bigger appetite for affection.
Neptune may have spent Halloween dressed as a basketball star, but these days, he doesn't need a costume or a parade to feel like someone's most valuable player. He's got a home, a person who adores him, and two tennis balls to keep him busy.
And something tells us he wouldn't trade any of it for another moment in the spotlight.
