Sweet Thrift Store Mascot Makes Shopping Impossible Unless You Throw The Ball Back
Guest Contributor
Every so often, a simple shopping trip turns into a story worth sharing. That is exactly what happened at a small thrift store in Horseheads, New York, where a playful shop dog named Brutus has turned secondhand browsing into a unique kind of joy. For anyone who loves a good thrift store find and an affectionate dog, this tale of a “thrift store dog who plays fetch with customers” feels especially heartwarming.
Content creator and avid thrifter Juliet Motyka walked into Gifted Goods II expecting to scan the racks and shelves for bargains. Instead, she was greeted at the door by Brutus, the store’s resident dog, who clearly considers greeting visitors to be part of his daily responsibilities. According to Motyka, the moment she stepped inside, Brutus bounded over to say hello, radiating friendly energy and curiosity about the new arrival.
Motyka later shared that Brutus felt like a “cute little ball of energy,” a presence that instantly transformed the atmosphere of the store. What started as a standard thrifting outing soon took on a playful twist. After Motyka walked a few steps into the building, she suddenly realized that something had quietly appeared at her feet. There, resting by her shoes, was a ball that Brutus had delivered as an unmistakable invitation to play.
As a dog owner herself, Motyka did what many dog lovers would instinctively do. She gave the ball a light kick, and Brutus took off after it with enthusiasm. That small interaction set the tone for the rest of her visit. From that point forward, it was clear that this was not just a thrift store. It was a place where a resident dog requested a game of fetch from anyone willing to participate.
What followed was a gentle, ongoing game that threaded itself through every aisle Motyka explored. As she moved deeper into the store in search of bargains and interesting finds, Brutus shadowed her journey. Whether she turned a corner, paused to look at a shelf, or wandered into a new section, Brutus would somehow be there ahead of her or appear as if from nowhere, his ball ready to roll. He did not bark or demand attention with noise. Instead, he simply set the ball down and waited, confident that his human companion would understand the assignment.
Motyka obliged, kicking the ball across open areas where it was safe to do so. She remained careful not to disturb the merchandise lining the aisles, guiding her kicks so Brutus could race after his toy without knocking anything over. She later reflected that every time she kicked the ball, Brutus was instantly prepared, as if this small act was not a casual game but the fulfillment of a shared understanding between guest and host.
Brutus’s quiet persistence reveals something charming about the way animals can create connection in everyday spaces. The dog appears to treat every new customer as a potential friend, offering the same simple proposition each time. “Here is my ball. Will you play?” There is a sense that in his eyes, browsing the store and playing fetch are not mutually exclusive activities. For Brutus, the ideal customer is someone who can appreciate a good bargain and a good game in equal measure.
At one point during Motyka’s visit, a younger couple of girls arrived and quickly noticed Brutus’s eagerness to play. They began tossing and kicking the ball for him, and his attention briefly shifted to his new playmates. Motyka jokingly described it as someone else taking over her “job,” a lighthearted way to recognize how naturally customers step into this informal role of Brutus’s play partner. The store might sell secondhand goods, but the experience itself feels one of a kind.
For people who enjoy lighthearted encounters while out shopping, the idea of a dog who begs every customer to play fetch adds an extra layer of charm. It turns a regular errand into a shared moment, and it may even make the thrift store feel like a community space rather than a purely transactional one. I found this detail striking because it highlights how something as simple as a game with a dog can soften the pace of daily life and encourage people to slow down, smile, and engage.
Even as Motyka continued filming and searching for interesting items to highlight for her followers, Brutus stayed focused on his routine. His commitment to his ball and his guests suggests a familiar rhythm at Gifted Goods II. This “resident dog at a thrift store in Horseheads, New York” is not a one-time novelty. He appears to be an ongoing presence, a kind of four-legged ambassador whose main aim is not to sell items but to share a moment of play.
Eventually, as all visits do, Motyka’s time at the shop came to an end. Brutus, who had enjoyed a long stretch of fetch and companionship, showed signs of sadness as she prepared to leave. Yet his disappointment did not last long. Before the day was over, new customers stepped through the door, and with them came fresh opportunities for Brutus to roll his ball and gently insist on another game. It seems that as long as there are people entering Gifted Goods II, Brutus will be ready with his favorite toy and his quiet, hopeful request.
This story of a sweet thrift store dog who plays fetch with customers underscores how animals can shape the personality of a place. While many people visit thrift stores for the thrill of a bargain or the satisfaction of sustainable shopping, encounters like this remind us that the memories we carry away are often about connection. A friendly hello from a staff member, a shared laugh between strangers, or a dog dropping a ball at a shopper’s feet can be just as meaningful as any item purchased.
For Motyka, the visit to Gifted Goods II was more than just another stop on her list of thrift store locations to explore. It became a story of a dog named Brutus who quietly turned an ordinary day of secondhand shopping into a warm, unforgettable experience. The video she captured allows others to witness the simple delight of that interaction, and perhaps to imagine themselves wandering the aisles with a cheerful dog trotting at their heels, always ready for one more round of fetch.
