After I was approved by the Shepherd Rescue people to adopt a dog I went to an event at PetSmart to meet their available dogs. It was my first time looking. While there I met a wonderful young lady with a beautiful German Shepherd that was just what I was looking for. It was truly love at first sight.
Turns out it was his first time at an adoption event to see how he did. Griffin was a little afraid but I was captured by the intelligence in his eyes. It was meant to be and I was lucky enough to adopt him into my family. From that moment on we were pretty much inseparable. He went everywhere with me. He even had his own cat after a stray kitten began following us on our walks. We took that cat in and she and Griffin were also inseparable. He slept in or by my bed every night. She slept close by. When Griffin had surgery on both shoulders in 2011 he was not allowed to jump or climb so I slept on the floor with him for three months while he recovered. Although Griffin was unbelievably intelligent his most striking feature was his gentleness. Whenever he wanted to lie down he would check first to ensure he didn't lie on a cat. On our long drives he would usually lie in the seat with his head on my lap.
When Griffin suddenly stopped eating the vet found a lump on his liver. We were referred to a surgeon who found other lumps. I dropped Griffin off so he could be sedated while they did a procedure to get tissue for a biopsy. While driving home the vet called to say they never did the test because they determined his spleen had burst and the cancer was so widespread that euthanasia was the only viable alternative because Griffin was in obvious distress. So I turned around and went back. While I was thankful that I had not had to make that decision, it was still gut wrenching. After sitting with Griffin for a while the vet came in and administered the drugs. The last thing I saw was Griffin turning his head to give me a look that I hope was to say it was all right. Even in that terrible moment he made it a little more bearable.
His loss was so sudden that I am still not used to the idea that he is gone.
Turns out it was his first time at an adoption event to see how he did. Griffin was a little afraid but I was captured by the intelligence in his eyes. It was meant to be and I was lucky enough to adopt him into my family. From that moment on we were pretty much inseparable. He went everywhere with me. He even had his own cat after a stray kitten began following us on our walks. We took that cat in and she and Griffin were also inseparable. He slept in or by my bed every night. She slept close by. When Griffin had surgery on both shoulders in 2011 he was not allowed to jump or climb so I slept on the floor with him for three months while he recovered. Although Griffin was unbelievably intelligent his most striking feature was his gentleness. Whenever he wanted to lie down he would check first to ensure he didn't lie on a cat. On our long drives he would usually lie in the seat with his head on my lap.
When Griffin suddenly stopped eating the vet found a lump on his liver. We were referred to a surgeon who found other lumps. I dropped Griffin off so he could be sedated while they did a procedure to get tissue for a biopsy. While driving home the vet called to say they never did the test because they determined his spleen had burst and the cancer was so widespread that euthanasia was the only viable alternative because Griffin was in obvious distress. So I turned around and went back. While I was thankful that I had not had to make that decision, it was still gut wrenching. After sitting with Griffin for a while the vet came in and administered the drugs. The last thing I saw was Griffin turning his head to give me a look that I hope was to say it was all right. Even in that terrible moment he made it a little more bearable.
His loss was so sudden that I am still not used to the idea that he is gone.
After I was approved by the Shepherd Rescue people to adopt a dog I went to an event at PetSmart to meet their available dogs. It was my first time looking. While there I met a wonderful young lady with a beautiful German Shepherd that was just what I was looking for. It was truly love at first sight.
Turns out it was his first time at an adoption event to see how he did. Griffin was a little afraid but I was captured by the intelligence in his eyes. It was meant to be and I was lucky enough to adopt him into my family. From that moment on we were pretty much inseparable. He went everywhere with me. He even had his own cat after a stray kitten began following us on our walks. We took that cat in and she and Griffin were also inseparable. He slept in or by my bed every night. She slept close by. When Griffin had surgery on both shoulders in 2011 he was not allowed to jump or climb so I slept on the floor with him for three months while he recovered. Although Griffin was unbelievably intelligent his most striking feature was his gentleness. Whenever he wanted to lie down he would check first to ensure he didn't lie on a cat. On our long drives he would usually lie in the seat with his head on my lap.
When Griffin suddenly stopped eating the vet found a lump on his liver. We were referred to a surgeon who found other lumps. I dropped Griffin off so he could be sedated while they did a procedure to get tissue for a biopsy. While driving home the vet called to say they never did the test because they determined his spleen had burst and the cancer was so widespread that euthanasia was the only viable alternative because Griffin was in obvious distress. So I turned around and went back. While I was thankful that I had not had to make that decision, it was still gut wrenching. After sitting with Griffin for a while the vet came in and administered the drugs. The last thing I saw was Griffin turning his head to give me a look that I hope was to say it was all right. Even in that terrible moment he made it a little more bearable.
His loss was so sudden that I am still not used to the idea that he is gone.
Turns out it was his first time at an adoption event to see how he did. Griffin was a little afraid but I was captured by the intelligence in his eyes. It was meant to be and I was lucky enough to adopt him into my family. From that moment on we were pretty much inseparable. He went everywhere with me. He even had his own cat after a stray kitten began following us on our walks. We took that cat in and she and Griffin were also inseparable. He slept in or by my bed every night. She slept close by. When Griffin had surgery on both shoulders in 2011 he was not allowed to jump or climb so I slept on the floor with him for three months while he recovered. Although Griffin was unbelievably intelligent his most striking feature was his gentleness. Whenever he wanted to lie down he would check first to ensure he didn't lie on a cat. On our long drives he would usually lie in the seat with his head on my lap.
When Griffin suddenly stopped eating the vet found a lump on his liver. We were referred to a surgeon who found other lumps. I dropped Griffin off so he could be sedated while they did a procedure to get tissue for a biopsy. While driving home the vet called to say they never did the test because they determined his spleen had burst and the cancer was so widespread that euthanasia was the only viable alternative because Griffin was in obvious distress. So I turned around and went back. While I was thankful that I had not had to make that decision, it was still gut wrenching. After sitting with Griffin for a while the vet came in and administered the drugs. The last thing I saw was Griffin turning his head to give me a look that I hope was to say it was all right. Even in that terrible moment he made it a little more bearable.
His loss was so sudden that I am still not used to the idea that he is gone.
