How Great Dane Adopted a Widow as His 'New Grandma' in Heartwarming Tale

A chance encounter on a hiking trail in Boston, Massachusetts, has led to a heartwarming tale of companionship and friendship.

Alyssa Berkovitz is the owner of Kernel the Great Dane, and the founder of an off-leash walking program in the area. During one walk, her gentle giant stumbled upon some new friends. The story began on the quiet hiking trail where Kernel's large frame caught the attention of an elderly couple, whose laughter at his antics drew Berkovitz's attention. "New Grandma" and her late husband, Cal, instantly fell in love with Kernel the dog and quickly formed a bond.

"My husband started laughing, and I have a recording of that—it was his last laugh practically," New Grandma said, recalling the first meeting on the trail.

The couple would meet with the dog walker and her canine companions frequently, and always stopped to spend some time with beloved Great Dane Kernel.

"We met at a rusted-out bench on a quiet trail we walk on," Berkovitz told Newsweek. "It ended up being the last spot she was able to walk to with her late husband, Cal, and also was the spot where we coincidentally reunited when she told me the bad news."

When Kernel and her owner bumped into Grandma on the trail alone, they learned the heartbreaking news that her husband had passed away. Grandma had ventured out on the trail, hoping to see Kernel.

Berkovitz said they should exchange information, and before long, they had arranged to hike together every week.

Now their weekly hikes are a cherished tradition. Berkovitz and Grandma have grown close, like old friends, and shared special occasions such as Mother's Day and Kernel's birthday together.

Berkovitz, who has experienced the loss of her own loved ones, finds solace in the bond she shares with the Great Dane and his New Grandma.

A photographer, Berkovitz has been documenting and posting bits of her life on social media since she was a teen. She has shared the heartwarming story of Kernel and his New Grandma in a series of TikTok videos that have warmed hearts and gained millions of views.

"Grandma gets us on the best algorithm of kind and empathetic people. There can be a lot of hate over the most-trivial topics online, so It's a great feeling when something goes viral for the right reasons," she said.

"It's definitely true that negativity is loud and positivity is quiet. I never know what will go viral and what won't, so I always just post from the heart and if people like it, great. It is a real treat to share her with so many people that love seeing her in my videos because she brings me joy."

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