In a dramatic rescue viewed more than 11 million times, Michigan Humane Society (MHS) saved a German Shepherd momma named Raina and her eleven puppies after she’d dug a tunnel to shelter her babies from a rainstorm.

The flooding, muddy yard and the depth of the tunnel made the rescue a difficult one, but eventually, eleven puppies were saved. Rescuers had a difficult time coaxing Raina to come with them, but finally, she calmed down enough.

All eleven puppies and Raina received emergency medical care and fared well through the intake process at MHS. Once the story broke, the adoption applications flooded in and 11 lucky families were chosen.

Families from around the state applied, and many were truly surprised when they got picked.

In an unusual twist, MHS handed out envelopes at random to the families as they arrived at the shelter facility. All at once, they opened the envelopes to see what order they would get to go in and adopt.

Family after family found their newest member and the serendipitous circumstances play out perfectly.

After the adoptions, each family got interviewed. Some puppies were chosen for their personalities, while some were selected for their coat.

One man said he chose a black dog because his wife “wears black every day to work, so it was a priority.”

One woman selected her puppy because the small dog seemed more laid back and “chill” than her other brothers and sisters.

Even Raina found a new home with a couple who wanted a dog, not a puppy, saying, “puppies are a lot of work.”

Yes, they are, but the cuteness makes it all worth it, right?