To truly understand the essence of resilience, you need to meet Grandpa Larry!
This 14-year-old pup is an unstoppable force – and he’s one of the fiercest fighters I’ve ever witnessed.
Rather than fading away in a shelter as just another face in the crowd, Larry chose to advocate for himself. He had a will to live despite initially being unable to walk. Even when categorized as a hospice patient, he proved everyone wrong by revealing his true spirit!
Grandpa Larry Turns Weaknesses Into Strengths
The wonderful people at I Stand With My Pack in Culver City, California, rescued Larry from a shelter just in the nick of time!
At fourteen years, this charming dog had just one wish – to enjoy his golden years in happiness. And the team made sure that happened!
Lucy, with her extensive fostering background and entertaining Instagram account, quickly took Larry in as a foster. Despite his walking issues, she welcomed him with warmth, and her dog family embraced him too!
Considering his health, the rescue believed Larry would be a hospice foster. But at Lucy’s home, his true nature shone through!
“The rescue thought he was a hospice foster. His back legs were not functioning well,” Lucy shared with The Dodo.
Within just a few weeks, Grandpa Larry transformed into a brand-new dog. He began “aging backwards” alongside his new furry siblings, astonishing everyone.
People wondered how such an elderly and sick dog could make such a dramatic transformation and appear so youthful—but it truly happened!
And the most delightful part? Larry’s quirky new behaviors!
He performs a charming little “wooing show” when he spots a fire truck and has a toe-tapping routine right before mealtime. In fact, Larry adamantly refuses to do anything until he’s had his breakfast.
“He won’t budge until he’s had his breakfast. He wouldn’t go out to pee or anything—he’d just insist, ‘No, I need my breakfast now’,” Lucy explains.
Aging Is Foreign To Larry
Larry defied the odds in no time at all. It was hard to believe that the dog once considered as a “potential hospice foster” could change so remarkably at such an advanced age!
Each day marked the beginning of a new chapter for him, as he shattered the limits set for his new life.
Then came the unexpected twist!
Tara, a dedicated foster from Arizona, reached out to Larry’s foster mom expressing her desire to adopt him. Lucy couldn’t have been happier!
On adoption day, they all gathered in Palm Springs, California for a grand celebration for Grandpa Larry alongside his new siblings—Magoo, Frank, and Gordy.
Witnessing this senior dog flourish was heartwarming, but seeing him finally receive the life he deserves was truly emotional!
Tara, along with her large family, and Larry made their journey back to Arizona to start a fresh chapter together. Today, Larry is more joyful than ever, enjoying life among those who cherish him immensely.
“He absolutely loves everything. He enjoys going everywhere. There are only a few dogs that can steal the spotlight just by being out in public. Larry has that special ‘grandpa swag,’” Tara shares.
His journey stands as a powerful reminder of what a little love can achieve. Older dogs are truly invaluable—they just need an opportunity to thrive in life.
