THE LAST WORD:

Some stories soften the hardest of hearts, such as those of road-worn journalists.

Take the case of 70-year-old Costa Mesa resident Gary Van Horn and his beloved dog, Knick Knack. A timid Jack Russell terrier and regular front-lawn lounger, Knick Knack hadn’t left Van Horn’s property in 14 years.

That changed on Monday, and resulted in a call to 9-1-1.

“When the officer was talking to me, there were big tears in my eyes, crying. I didn’t know what to do,” said Van Horn.

Knick Knack’s journey to horizons beyond Van Horn’s property line lasted all of three days. Costa Mesa police found and returned the dog to her rightful home on Thursday.

“She’s so darned cute,” a relieved Van Horn said.

More than a few of us here at the Daily Pilot smiled when we heard the story. Hard not to. It’s nice — amid the all-too usual tales of war, crime and recession — to read a love story about a man and his dog.