Larry's Story
We had always wondered what that moment would feel like—going to bed knowing Larry was finally safe, no longer out on the streets. That feeling? It was even better than we could have imagined.
But to truly understand the overwhelming relief our team felt that night, you first have to know the tale of “The Legend of Larry,” also lovingly known as “The King of the Strays.”
The King of the Strays
Larry first appeared on a street corner in El Mirage in December of 2015. He claimed a quiet property owned by a kind senior named Gladys. Though she didn’t live there, Gladys returned every single night for four years, just to make sure her “big buddy” didn’t miss a meal. She did everything she could to earn his trust, but no matter how hard she tried, Larry remained just out of reach.
A Rescue Like No Other
We poured hundreds of rescue attempts, thousands of hours, and more money than we could track into saving Larry. Gas, sweat, tears—it was all for him. And still, every single day, Larry remained free. But in trying to save Larry, we ended up saving so many more.
Over 80 dogs were rescued from Larry’s corner or nearby—including seniors, Shepherds, pitties, pregnant mamas, Chihuahuas, grouchy dogs, fluffy dogs, and litter after litter of pups we suspected were Larry’s. We always joked that Larry didn’t want to be caught because he thought we were there to collect child support—he truly got every female in town pregnant. But jokes aside, Larry was the heart of that stray community. Dogs gravitated to him. Every time we arrived, he had a new pack—or twelve—by his side. The others would leave with us, but Larry stayed. He slept beneath his palm tree, watching over his little kingdom.
That is, until one life-changing day in May 2019.
Caught at Last
After suffering two serious injuries, something shifted in Larry. He was finally ready. We got him safely into a fenced yard, and then into a hand net—Larry was safe. At last.
We rushed him to the emergency hospital, where the severity of his condition was clear: his ear was mangled, and maggots filled every puncture wound on his head. But in true Larry fashion, he survived. After cleaning the wounds, amputating his ear, and performing skin grafts, he began to heal.
A few nights later, on Elli’s birthday, Larry was discharged. That night, she fell asleep with the greatest gift she could have ever received—Larry’s safety.
Healing & Home
In the months that followed, Larry slowly opened up. He healed. He trusted. He thrived. Then, he did something we never expected—he got adopted.
For five magical months, Larry lived a life of pure joy. He slept in his mom’s bed, chewed the biggest bones, and romped around the yard with his dog brothers. His time with us may have been short, but it was rich in love.
A Legend Lives On
Larry left us as unexpectedly as he came. But his legacy? It lives on.
Larry wasn’t just a rescue dog. He was majestic, powerful, quiet, mysterious, and endlessly handsome. He had a presence that couldn’t be explained, only felt.
Larry wasn’t just unforgettable—he was legendary.
As someone once said, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” And Larry… Larry was a legend.
