Griffin, a small hairless puppy with a shattered spirit, was one of twenty dogs saved from a horrific case of animal cruelty and neglect in North Carolina.
Shortly thereafter, Angela Marie, a caring founder of “Angela’s Ark” rescue and sanctuary in Charlotte, NC, encountered Griffin’s image on her Facebook feed.
Griffin appeared sickly, devoid of fur, and huddled on the shelter floor, anxiously waiting for rescue or a brighter future.
The anguish reflected in his eyes compelled Angela to rush to the shelter and bring him to safety.
This marked the start of a new chapter in Griffin’s life…
Griffin’s Journey to Overcoming Trauma
Having endured the initial years of his life in horrendously abusive and inhumane circumstances, Griffin’s physical health was significantly jeopardized.
He suffered from malnutrition, multiple severe skin infections, hair loss, and an ear infection. Furthermore, he underwent surgery to extract 14 severely infected teeth.
Unsurprisingly, his mental health was just as fragile – Griffin was a distressed, confused, and overall frightened puppy with a fundamentally damaged spirit who avoided any human interaction.
On his initial day at Angela’s home, Griffin trembled uncontrollably from fear. Angela recognized that he would be a particularly difficult case.
“Griff and I have shared more first-time experiences than any other rescue I’ve encountered. Basic tasks like walking up and down stairs, wearing a collar, and even tolerating touch were new to him. For weeks, everyday activities posed a challenge,” Angela shared in a Facebook post.
Throughout his short life, Griffin had never been touched, nor had he ever known the warmth of a human’s affection. His perception of humans was profoundly skewed due to the abuse he had suffered.
The initial days at Angela’s Ark were intensely taxing for both Griffin and Angela. Though she intended to help, Griffin was terrified at her presence.
Angela described Griffin as her most challenging case so far, yet also the most fulfilling.
In caring for him, she learned to value and celebrate every small success, cherishing even the slightest signs of improvement, which she affectionately calls “small wins.”
Finding the Perfect Forever Home
Gradually, Griffin began to relax and step outside his comfort zone. Though the progress was slow, it was progress nonetheless.
“There were several key milestones with Griff during the initial phase, and acknowledging any form of progress was crucial for us,” Angela conveyed to The Dodo.
Achievements, like getting him to eat from her hand or putting a leash on him, represented significant advances for both of them.
Initially, he was terrified of the outdoors – now, it has become his favorite hobby. “He loves to roam the backyard, taking slow strolls, and will find a sunny spot to bask in for hours if we allow it,” Angela remarked.
The most significant breakthrough came when Griffin mastered walking up and down stairs. After he achieved that, Angela felt assured that he would be fine.
Though the thought of parting with Griff made Angela emotional, she recognized he was prepared for the next step of his journey – finding his forever home.
Fortunately, Griff found an ideal forever home where he continues to flourish, showering love on his new mom and always eager to stay by her side.
He transitioned from a dog that was terrified of human contact to one that actively seeks out love and affection, and that transformation is simply beautiful.
His new mom delights in capturing memories and photos of her beloved pets, even maintaining an official Instagram account documenting Griff’s journey, which you are welcome to follow.
