A bus driver in Rio de Janeiro was following his usual route when something strange happened.
The driver, Sílvio Gomes, was driving on the Trans Olympic highway in the city’s West Zone. As Gomes went down a special bus lane on the highway, he saw a dog sitting in the middle of the road.
Gomes wasn’t sure how the little dog ended up on the highway, but it was clear she needed help.
Gomes stopped the bus and got out. His passengers were naturally a bit confused at first. But when they spotted the dog, they got excited—they realized their bus driver was doing something heroic!
Gomes walked out onto the highway and approached the black-and-brown dog. He put a makeshift leash around her neck and then gently led her back to the bus. The dog was calm—she seemed to realize Gomes was trying to help her.
Gomes led the dog onto the bus, and as soon as they walk on, all the passengers on the bus cheered. The dog looked up, surprised and happy. Gomes tied the dog’s leash to a pole to keep her safe, and he continued driving his route.
One passenger recorded a video of the amazing rescue and later shared it on Facebook.
“NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES,” the passenger wrote. “Today on the way to work, a BRT driver stopped the bus, on the exclusive lane, on an expressway and rescued a dog that was scared and about to be run over.”
The video of the amazing rescue went viral, receiving more than two million views.
After the video went viral, Brazilian newspaper Globo News interviewed Gomes. They learned Gomes had initially left the dog at a pet shop, a place where he believed the pup would get the love and care she needed. But when he got home, his wife scolded him. She asked why he didn’t take the pup home. Gomes realized she was right, and he went to get the dog.
Gomes then officially adopted the sweet pup. She was so excited to go home with him!
“I’ve already thought of the name: Olympics,” Gomes told Globo News.
When Gomes found Olympics on the highway, she was scared and all alone in the world. Now, she has two parents who love her more than anything. We’re so glad this dog’s story has such a great happy ending!
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