Gryphon: Working dog has high moral compass

By Marty Metzger
North Forty News

Picture Lassie with a buzz cut. Now, multiply that famous on-screen dog's deep devotion to its master a few dozen times over. Finally, add a service dog vest--and it's Gryphon.

The 5-year-old, tri-color, smooth-coated Collie is unusual and exceptional on many levels. His type is rare in this area, although smooth- and long-coated Collies can both be born in the same litter. Gryphon's show dog sire, Bandor's Wyld Rose Vertigo, was mated to Wyld Rose's Victorian Secret by Indiana breeder Brenda Hanssen.

After being weaned, Gryphon was sent to puppy raiser Michelle Goldner for several months of basic obedience schooling. Following that boot camp, Jamie Young, DVM, worked with him for 18 months of service dog training. Through Canine Partners of the Rockies, Young helps supply dogs to qualified individuals with disabilities.

One such applicant was Ar Foster. Now 53 years old, Foster was diagnosed in 2002 with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, multiple neuropathies and nerve damage. In 2005, due to Foster's balance issues, falls and chronic pain, her doctor suggested she get a service dog.

After a full year's wait with another service dog group, Foster was delighted to be matched to Gryphon through Canine Partners in June 2006.

"It was total luck," she said, because a dog's size, skills and personality must mesh with a human's type of disability. Gryphon and Foster became ideal partners. However, happily ever after wasn't going to be that easy.

"You must maintain a service dog's hygiene, health and skills," said Foster. "It's not just like getting a little Chihuahua."

At the outset, she had no idea the financial and emotional costs she'd incur. In September 2006, Foster and Gryphon's mutual loyalty began to be tested. For the following nine months, the big dog vomited and suffered from diarrhea all day, every day. Many tests, treatments sans diagnosis, and five vets later, the illness persisted. Foster had maxed out all of her credit cards, and one of her last options, Colorado State University, wanted up to $5,000 to diagnose the problem.

Foster could have returned Gryphon to Canine Partners but was far too attached to him, and he was devoted to her.

Then, during the ongoing financial storm, a patch of blue broke through their huge, dark cloud. Dr. Wendy Fleischman of Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado in Loveland made an accurate diagnosis and even donated her fee. Gryphon had a severe, potentially life-threatening abdominal infection. Dr. Fleischman prescribed new food and an antibiotic the dog must stay on for life. Within 72 hours, he was feeling better. For the past year, Drs. Mark and Debra Holmes of Paws of the Rockies in Fort Collins have monitored Gryphon's health.

"They have a really good understanding of him," said Foster. She said he still has an occasional incident but now is 98 percent perfect.

So, the nearly perfect Gryphon happily proceeds in his indomitable way as Foster's faithful service dog. In fact, she said, once he recovered he seemed bored - not enough tasks to perform. She volunteered him to double as a therapy dog for HABIC (Human/Animal Bond in Colorado). It was through the required vet check that she met the Drs. Holmes. Although Gryphon merited therapy dog certification, he's not yet done that work. Well, not officially. Unofficially, he's a top-notch therapist.

People at the dog park call him "the mayor" because he vigorously objects to fighting and toy theft. When an aggressive canine snatches a plaything from a more timid pooch, Gryphon takes the toy back to its rightful owner, sometimes also teaching the offender to play fair.

"He has a high moral compass," Foster explained. "He doesn't like discord. He has a herding behavior and plays with skills."

She asserted that Gryphon seems to recognize fellow Collies. When meeting, they "make Collie noises to each other." Huskies and standard poodles are also near the top of his favored breeds list.

But he's really everyone's friend and protector. He once broke through a baby gate to alert the owner that their Poodle was having a seizure. (He senses oncoming seizures in humans and animals.) Another time, a big, male chocolate Lab picking on a small, longhaired Dachshund drew blood. Gryphon intervened, dragging the little dog by its collar to safety.

Like many herding breed dogs, Gryphon is a fast, eager learner with a strong desire to work. He does everything Foster asks of him and, to date, knows 100 commands.

Foster said that he stands out in a crowd and, at 29 inches tall and 80 pounds, he's quite large for a smooth-coated Collie.

"People stop and stare in awe because he's so regal looking," his admiring owner touted.

So, Lassie go home. Gryphon is here.