This Marine Vet's Dog Rescue Story Is Going Viral and It Will Make Your Day
People are good; puppies are even better.
There are few things more heartwarming than heroic pet rescue tales. But this one, about Sergeant Tegan Griffith, a former Marine and war veteran who serves as a leader of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and a little guy named Larry, will particularly tug at your heartstrings. Truly, it's no wonder Griffith's retelling of the story has gained more than 23,000 retweets in just three days.
You see, earlier this week, Griffith was driving to work in northern Wisconsin when she suddenly got the sense that something was wrong.
"This is a road I take twice a day on my way to/from work," she wrote on Twitter. "I know the branches and rocks and dead deer but something looked out of place."
We live in a rural part of the state. This is a road I take twice a day on my way to/from work. I know the branches and rocks and dead deer but something looked out of place. pic.twitter.com/7lb8rR5rI0
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
She looked down at a ditch by the side of the road and saw something was moving in it.
THEN THE "BRANCH" MOVED pic.twitter.com/bINQMMdfuR
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
It turned out to be a tiny, floppy-eared puppy who was cold, hungry, lost, and all alone in the world.
Sooo… I found a puppy in a ditch on my way to work this morning. How was your day?! pic.twitter.com/JPJJqUz3kJ
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
At first, the scared little one ran away from Griffith. But then she managed to coax him into her car by offering him some of her cheese snacks. The overnight temperature in Wisconsin is still in the low 20s, so she tried to warm him up right away.
It ran away from me at first. I went to find a snack in my lunchbox and it had snuck up behind me. All I had that would interest this little lover was a @SargentoCheese Balanced Breaks – the white cheddar/nuts/cranberry one. It was either that or salad. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vLbClMEVTH
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
Griffith, who describes herself as a "cat person," obviously couldn't just leave the helpless creature to fend for himself once he came into her life. So she snuck him into her office…
I proceeded with my 40 minute commute to work. I'm a cat person and it's been a long time since I've been around a puppy. I didn't know what to do so I tucked him in my vest and took him in to get my laptop and other work items. Yay for telework agreements!!! pic.twitter.com/Fk7055Ubxn
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
…Tucked him into her vest and kept on working.
Puppy in a Vest!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/3iXZSiwO0F
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
Once Griffith and the pup got home, she contacted the Forest County Humane Society, and found out that the little guy was actually one of four dog siblings abandoned in the woods.
His three sisters had been dropped off at the animal shelter the day before, which means that the poor puppy had to survive a brutally cold night out in the forest all by himself.
It turns out little Larry (center) has three sisters! A very bad person (VBP) dumped them in a rural, wooded area not far from our home. His sisters were dropped off yesterday by an acquaintance of the VBP.
Which means Larry stayed out overnight, alone.
In Northern Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/yltiNryrKm
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
He's the runt of the litter at only 10 pounds, so we can only imagine how difficult that night was for him.
Do you know how hard it is to weigh puppies?! Larry (in pink) weighed in at 10 pounds and is the runt of the litter thus far. I really hope there aren't more wandering puppers in the woods. pic.twitter.com/6YhFj6gcU6
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
After finding out about his sisters, Griffith—of course—reunited the siblings and they were elated to see each other.
HIS SISTERS WERE SO HAPPY TO SEE HIM!!! pic.twitter.com/cS4nCA5jJx
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
And, naturally, she couldn't resist giving Larry, as she named him, a forever home.
We're going to adopt Larry with the Pink Collar.
He is at the shelter with his siblings until Friday. The veterinarian wants to treat them all for worms, dehydration and give them all a well puppy exam with shots. pic.twitter.com/56yokIe2V8
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
It's wonderful to know that there are people like Griffith to restore our faith in the world. After going viral, she even encouraged people to donate to her local animal shelter.
This shelter tries to do it's best in a rural area but we all know it can be hard. If you feel like making a donation, here is their website: https://t.co/LBJQnxciSN
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
The outpouring of love and support was incredible. In just 24 hours, the Forest Humane Society received more than $10,000 in donations from all over the country. And the generosity is only increasing as Larry's story continues to spread.
The Forest County Humane Society is flabbergasted by this unexpected generosity. Someone in Vermont offered to adopt one of his sisters and donations are over $12,000.00! If you're on Facebook, they can be found here: https://t.co/UH0qKOSoSP #LarryThePuppy
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 12, 2019
"As a veteran, I'm relating to a lot of people who were saying, 'I was really in a hard place today until I found Larry's story,'" Griffith told Fox 9 News. "That this little floppy-eared puppy has made a positive impact on people … just makes me happy. That's all I was trying to do share."
And, as for Larry, it seems he's settling into his new home just fine.
Larry with the Pink Collar will be a wonderful addition to our home and I hope this little 'tail' about *my* day brought some good into *your* day. ❤ pic.twitter.com/H7bkIHdDEf
— Tegan (@TeganG_) April 9, 2019
And for another great dog adoption story that will make your day, read about the Abandoned Dog That Went Viral And Is Now Living "Like a King."
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