Glen Powell's Rescue Pup Brisket Went From Shelter Pet to Hollywood Scene-Stealer

Actor Glen Powell has said the dog who changed his life arrived when he needed company most. Brisket, a small rescue, joined Powell's household during a difficult stretch following a breakup, and the two have been close ever since.

Powell adopted Brisket through the Labelle Foundation, a Los Angeles rescue organization. What started as a simple adoption quickly turned into something bigger. Brisket now turns up around movie stars, cameras and red carpets, and he even has his own director's chair, a nod to how much time he spends on set with his owner.

The story is a familiar one for anyone who has adopted a pet during a low point. Dogs in that situation often provide routine, affection and a reason to get out of the house, benefits that shelter workers and behavior experts regularly point to. A small dog like Brisket can also travel easily, which helps explain how he ended up beside Powell at so many public events.

Celebrity adoption stories can also help rescue groups. When a well-known person publicly credits a shelter dog, it tends to put the spotlight on adoption as an option for people who might otherwise look only at breeders or pet stores. It reminds prospective owners that rescue animals of every size and background are waiting for homes.

For Powell, the fame around Brisket seems secondary to the bond. The dog gave him steady companionship at the moment he needed it, and the attention that followed is, by his own telling, a bonus. Brisket may be the one getting the director's chair, but the pair's story is really about a rescue dog and a person finding each other at the right time.