Blind B.C. dog overcomes adversity through doggy dock diving
Ever since he was a puppy, Gryffin has seemed shy.
“He’s quiet,” Angela says about her white Labrador. “He’s quite reserved.”
But there were moments when Gryffin would reveal a different aspect of himself, like when he’d relish rolling in the mud (see the picture of her holding the pup, who appears more black than white) or help Angela with the Halloween decorations (see the video where she tells the dog she “needs a hand” and he brings her a fake severed arm).
“When you see those little sparks of energy, you know it’s something special,” Angela smiles.
But Angela also knew something was wrong when Gryffin started struggling to walk by her side.
“He was drifting away,” Angela recalls. “He wouldn’t even have a clue that he wasn’t beside me.”
After visiting a specialist, Gryffin was diagnosed with progressive retinal atrophy. About three months later, the dog was completely blind.
“I was crushed,” Angela says. “It’s an emotional rollercoaster to sort out your new normal.”
There’s video of Gryffin sitting at a table surrounded by his canine friends at a birthday party Angela threw for him, waiting patiently for permission to eat his cake. When Angela finally says Gryffin can take a bite, his brother (who can see) steals the slice from under him.
“I instantly gave him another piece,” Angela says. “I felt so bad for him.”
Angela went searching for something fun for Gryffin to do, but she couldn’t help wonder if attempting doggy dock diving — a sport gaining popularity across the country — would be a bust too.
Gryffin couldn’t watch how the other dogs at the Pooch Pool School effortlessly raced down a long dock and — before it ran out — launched themselves into a large pool towards a toy they could see in the water.
“At first, he was really confused,” Angela says. “And rightly so.”
But Gryffin could hear a beeping sound coming from a portable, waterproof speaker that Angela wrapped in floating foam.
She threw it off the dock, and with a little encouragement, Gryffin achieved a big success. He jumped in the pool and retrieved the speaker.
“It’s hard to keep him out of there now,” Angela smiles.
After dock diving a couple times now, Angela says Griffin is becoming more confident and she’s learning to never give up hope.
“He’s definitely made me a fierce advocate for him,” Angela says.
Although a pool may seem like it would extinguish “a little spark,” you just might find it ignites an inferno, instead: one of water-splashing and tail-wagging joy.
“It’s a chance (for Gryffin) to have fun,” Angela smiles. “And totally let his wild side show.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.