A Heart felt story about a stray dog in my neighborhood, Glassell Park.

Merry Christmas, Gramps

Sometimes, just reading the newspaper can make you feel discouraged about our world.

But there are times you see in the mix of stories something that can rekindle your faith and put everything in balance.

Gramps' story is a perfect example of this.

Remember him? The senior German shepherd mix had been wandering the streets of Los Angeles near Weemes Elementary School when school teacher and animal rescue volunteer Ryoko Matsui of Glassell Park found him and decided to take him home.

He was in bad shape: skinny, as if he's been homeless for awhile, and deaf.

He could hardly stand up and looked anywhere between 12 and 15 years old.

Matsui figured he wasn't long for this world.

That was back in September.

Gramps fooled everyone. A little love, some medical attention and medication helped this old guy start acting and looking like a pup half his age.

Rebound doesn't begin to describe it. Miraculous does.

A profile of Matsui and her rescue efforts appeared in these pages on Oct. 19, and Gramps got his picture taken for the story, too.

Matsui said she had tried to find a home for him, but most were put off by the dog's age.

Rae Syms of Altadena read the story and mentioned it to her husband, Chris
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Garcia. They already had three dogs, but somehow it seemed right to add Gramps to the family. After all, Gramps was deserving of a happy life, they figured.

The fact that Gramps might be as old as 15 didn't bother them. Syms is a nurse and Garcia owns a small business.

They said they were touched by Gramps' drive to survive.

"He was in such bad shape, but he had such a will to live," Syms said. "I didn't think of (adopting him) as taking a chance. It didn't even occur to me the age was a problem.

The dog needed a home. We have a home. We felt very privileged to get him."

When they contacted Matsui about adoption, they figured they'd have to get in a long line of potential owners. Instead, they were the first to call.

After an initial meeting at the Rose Bowl and then a home visit, Gramps meshed with the family as if he'd never been anywhere else.

Since he moved in with them, there have been no chewed-up shoes nor housebreaking problems.

Gramps proved to be an ideal family member.

Syms initially wanted Gramps to be "her" dog, but Gramps worships Garcia. When Garcia walks around the house, Gramps follows him.

If a door is shut with Garcia behind it, Gramps barks until he can once again be with his new best friend.

"He absolutely adores Chris," said Syms. "I just love watching Chris interact with Gramps because you can tell Chris really loves him.

It's the sweetest thing."

Matsui isn't surprised by Gramps' behavior.

"Do you know that I respect you as a leader' look, the look ("The Dog Whisperer") Cesar Millan's dogs give him?" Matsui asked.

"I saw Gramps look at Chris that way."

There were a few ranking issues among all the dogs in the beginning, but Gramps settled in well. He is a new pal for Lily, a shepherd mix who used to jump the fence and then couldn't find her way back.

She stays at home now that Gramps is there.

Despite Gramps' age, he continues to thrive with love and attention he gets from Syms and Garcia. They actually forget that Gramps is deaf; he behaves and responds almost like any hearing-capable dog, they said.

"He has more energy than anyone in the family even me and Chris," Syms laughed. "Now he's so alive. It's inspiring to see someone with so much spirit."

Gramps eats like a champ, Syms said, and has gained weight. He runs up and down the stairs and enjoys a good walk.

While Gramps' past remains a mystery, Syms doesn't want to believe he was beaten or abused. She says he has a loving soul.

"There isn't a mean bone in his body," she said.

"There's such a sweetness to him. There's just such a kindness to him."

After a pause, she added: "I think I like him the best of all the dogs.

I really do."

Matsui has seen her share of homeless dogs find happy endings, yet in true Gramps magic, this one in particular etched its way into her heart.

"It was so rewarding not only to see his health improve remarkably, but to see him blossom into a playful, affectionate guy each day," Matsui said.

"He showed me how to slow down and smell the roses. He taught me to stop worrying and enjoy the small things in life. I miss him terribly, but I am so happy for him."

Senior dogs often are overlooked by families who are afraid an older dog might not be with them for very long.

It's more difficult to place a senior dog than one who is less than 5 years old.

But in passing these dogs up, a wealth of love is missed, and that's tragic.

"Tomorrow is promised to no one," Syms said. "You don't know how much time anyone has."

Her advice is to look at a dog not his teeth or coat or birthdate. Enjoy your dog as completely as you can, for as long as you're given.

Senior dogs, with all of their wisdom and life experience, know this already and are just waiting for us to figure it out and give them that happy ending they've waited long enough to find.

Just ask Gramps how good it can be.

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