Glen Powell might be leading the charge in the new disaster film “Twisters,” but it is his rescue dog, Brisket, who keeps stealing the spotlight. From red carpet appearances to magazine covers, this tiny pup has become a breakout star in his own right. For anyone who loves feel good celebrity dog stories or is curious about dog adoption and rescue, Brisket’s journey from shelter to set mascot is both heartwarming and relatable.

Brisket’s story began in Los Angeles, where the actor adopted him from the Labelle Foundation. Powell introduced the pup to the world on Instagram in July 2023, affectionately calling him “1.5 pounds of raw power.” In that playful announcement, he described wanting a “proper bodyguard” for a “ruff world,” joking that he could not wait to tackle life’s adventures together with Brisket. That early glimpse into their bond set the tone for everything that followed, as the rescue dog quickly became a central part of Powell’s public and personal life.

Instagram/glenpowell

What gives this story extra emotional weight is the timing of Brisket’s arrival. In a July 17 appearance on TODAY, Powell shared that he decided to adopt a dog while he was going through a breakup. He recalled sitting in a café in Enid, Oklahoma, when the realization hit that he wanted to become a dog dad. As he told host Hoda Kotb, bringing Brisket into his life turned out to be one of the best decisions he had made. He called the pup “the greatest addition” to his life, a simple phrase that captures how deeply people can connect with companion animals during challenging moments.

Long before Brisket was sitting in his own director’s chair, he first caught Powell’s attention on social media. The actor had been following various dog adoption and rescue accounts on Instagram when he came across a photo of the small dog who would soon be his constant companion. That single image set off a determined adoption campaign. Powell reportedly reached out to the Labelle Foundation asking friends to vouch for him and even sent what he described as a heartbreakingly depressing video explaining why he needed this dog in his life. The image of a successful actor earnestly lobbying for a tiny rescue dog is disarming and, in its own way, a subtle advertisement for adoption over shopping.

Instagram/glenpowell

Once the adoption was approved, Powell did not waste any time. He traveled to Los Angeles in the middle of filming “Twisters” to pick up Brisket. According to his account, the cast and crew were already aware of how excited he was, since he had been talking about the dog constantly on set. He recalled telling everyone, “Guys, I’m going to pick him up!” It is easy to picture a production in the middle of intense storm sequences suddenly receiving updates about a pint-size new arrival, a real life contrast to the high stakes world of movie tornadoes.

When Powell returned to work, he did not leave Brisket behind. The pup joined him on the set of “Twisters,” where he quickly became, in Powell’s words to Entertainment Weekly, “sort of a set mascot.” The actor compared himself to a new parent, explaining that he was not sleeping much while shooting the film, juggling demanding days with the responsibilities of a young dog. Brisket responded by making the rounds and spending time with different departments on set, often curling up to sleep in Powell’s chair. That image of a tiny dog peacefully napping amid a big budget production captures how animals can bring calm into even the most hectic environments.

Instagram/glenpowell

Brisket did more than nap between takes. Powell has shared photos of the dog on set, calling him “the Lassie of his generation” on Instagram. While the comparison is clearly playful, it also reflects how central Brisket has become to the narrative surrounding “Twisters.” Powell told Entertainment Weekly that he considers Brisket “the best special feature of ‘Twisters,’” suggesting that the dog’s presence amounted to a kind of emotional bonus for everyone involved. He added that sets can be lonely places, something that anyone who has worked long hours away from home can recognize. Having a dog there, offering unconditional affection, changed the atmosphere.

Powell went further in his reflection on how animals affect people. He noted that when you see a dog filling someone up with love, it can bring an entire cast together. In his view, animals have a way of lowering emotional walls and speeding up friendships. This observation aligns with what many pet owners and animal advocates often say about the social bridge that dogs create. Brisket was not simply a personal comfort; he was a shared presence who helped the “Twisters” team connect on a human level. I found this detail striking because it highlights an often overlooked benefit of pet companionship, especially in high pressure work environments.

Instagram/glenpowell

Brisket’s rising profile has not been confined to behind the scenes moments. The pup has his own Instagram account, @hotbrisket, and has made regular appearances on Powell’s feed. At just one year old, he also earned a place in entertainment history with an unexpected magazine cover moment. During a cover shoot for Entertainment Weekly’s “Twisters” issue, Powell’s co star Daisy Edgar Jones was delayed by a wardrobe malfunction. While the crew waited, they asked to run a camera test. Powell happened to be holding Brisket, so the two of them posed together. That casual test shot ended up becoming the actual cover.

Powell told the story on TODAY, laughing as he explained that what started as a joke turned into Brisket’s big cover debut. He said he was simply goofing around with his dog, unaware that the spontaneous image would be the one the magazine chose. The result is a perfect snapshot of how Brisket keeps sliding into the spotlight without even trying, transforming standard promotional work into something more personal and memorable.

The dog’s growing fame was also on display at the U.S. premiere of “Twisters” on July 11, where Brisket joined Powell on the red carpet and quickly became an internet favorite. Photos and clips of the tiny rescue dog charming fans and photographers spread across social platforms, amplifying the film’s publicity with a softer, more playful edge. For those interested in dog adoption or simply in celebrity pet culture, Brisket stands as a reminder that some of the most compelling Hollywood stories involve four legs instead of two.

Underlying all the cute moments and clever captions is a simple truth about companionship, healing, and everyday joy. In Powell’s case, adopting Brisket during a breakup became a turning point that reshaped both his personal life and professional experience. The dog gave him comfort when he needed it, connected a film crew working far from home, and brought an unplanned spark to promotional shoots and premieres. For anyone considering bringing a rescue animal into their life, Brisket’s story illustrates how one small dog can change everything from a lonely set to the cover of a major magazine.