Dec 22, 2024, 8:50 PM CST
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It started as a typical drive to work. Tegan Griffith was on her usual route in early 2019 when a movement just off a snowy Wisconsin road caught her eye. As she pulled over, Griffith could see it was a tiny, scared puppy—cold, alone, and clinging to life. She took some cheese from her lunchbox, coaxed the pup into her car, and into what would become a remarkable new chapter for both of them.
“I tucked him into my coat and brought him to work,” Griffith says. “I walked into my boss’s office and said, ‘I found a puppy on the side of the road. I don’t know what to do.’”
Her boss’s reply was simple: “Take the day.”
This is just the beginning of Larry’s story. A call to the local Humane Society revealed Larry wasn’t alone—he was the fourth puppy rescued from the same litter; his three sisters having been found the day before. And after a heartwarming reunion with his siblings, the Humane Society staff asked the inevitable question: “You’re going to adopt him, right?”
LISTEN to Larry’s story here:
For Griffith, the answer was obvious.
Larry quickly became a beloved member of the household. He easily joined Griffith’s cat, a longtime companion from her military service days. And though she hadn’t planned to get a dog, Larry’s joyful, affectionate nature made her a complete convert.
“He’s so full of love and light,” she says. “It’s hard to be grumpy when he looks at you like, ‘I love you. Can I have a treat?’”
Griffith initially shared Larry’s rescue story on Twitter, where she was already known for advocacy work in the Veteran community. Her posts went viral, earning millions of impressions and drawing followers worldwide.
“I thought it was a fun story for my 800 followers,” Griffith says, laughing. “I didn’t expect people in Scotland and Australia to fall in love with him, too.”
But they did and Larry’s dedicated fanbase—affectionately called “Larry Lovers” – continues to grow. He now has his own Instagram account, too. Griffith believes his story continues to inspire kindness and connection, including one father who told her he reads the social media posts to his daughter at bedtime.
Thinking about their journey together, Griffith feels nothing but gratitude.
“I didn’t realize how big an impact sharing Larry’s story would have on me and others,” she explains. “Would I do it all again? Absolutely, without a doubt.”
This tale reminds us of the power a simple act of kindness can provide—and how it can ripple far beyond what you may ever imagine.
And as for Larry these days?
Well, he is more than a pet to Griffith. Larry is a constant source of joy, a global ambassador of goodwill, and — she shares — he’s a true embodiment of the gratefulness we should feel every day of the year.
