In Memory of Griff
November 11, 2004

It is with deep regret and sorrow that I write a final post about Griff (formerly known as Grip).

Griff has been here a number of weeks now and has gained a lot of confidence and peace and trust. He has come to trust me and he knows that he is safe here and won't be hurt. When he first came he would get freaked out about being picked up. Then he watched me pick up the pups everyday - putting them into and out of their pen, and they were happy to be lifted.... Then one day Griff came to me and asked to be picked up too... So with great caution, I picked him up - held him for a few minutes and then put him down... Over the course of several weeks I have picked him up at his request many times, he learned to completely relax and I always petted him under his chin and chest. Often he would tuck his head around my neck.

This past Monday I again picked him up at his request, he was completely relaxed, I was petting him under his chest, when, with no warning whatsoever, he bit me in the face.

I have been bitten a number of times in the course of rescue... an occupational hazard... This however is the first time I have been bitten when there were no reason whatsoever for the bite - no food, no fight, no fear, no nothing. I have thought about this over and over and over. And there is nothing that I did that was any different than a dozen other times. Something in Griff snapped or clicked and from either a chemical imbalance or from behavior so deeply ingrained in him by years of bad training he behaved in a dangerous way. He KNOWS that he is safe here and I know he trusts me completely, but in an instant he reacted in a totally unpredictable way.

I consider myself very lucky that the bite was minor... it could have been much much worse.. and it is also a warning.... I figure if I am suckered in then anyone would be.... as a result he is completely unplaceable.... no one would ever be safe with him.... and not knowing or being able to figure out what the trigger is - I can't fix it.... I have had a large number of dogs through my home, many with all kinds of behavioral problems. Griff is the first dog that I have decided is untrustworthy. It has nothing to do with liking him - I do. He is funny, and sweet and quite the dude. But he is also dangerous because he is unpredictable. So with much regret I decided that he must be put down. I consulted with others, to make sure I hadn't overlooked any possible thing that I could have done... There was nothing... This is by far the hardest decision I have had to make with any dog.

Knowing how uptight he gets at the vet's office I asked for a sedative to give him with his breakfast, so he was very calm for the trip to the vet and the deed was done calmly and peacefully with Griff in my arms. Griff is buried in my cemetery with a many colorful fall leaves to grace his place of rest and near my dear kids that have passed on...

May Griff have peace and contentment at the bridge that he did not have when he was with us on this earth. Please keep him in your prayers and hearts in the coming days, so that he can know the love that was not to be his in this life....

With tears and sorrow,
November 11, 2004

Pat Pearce,
Griff's foster mom

Oklahoma