Love at First Lick! - July/August 11

Life in Kansas City has been good to sportscaster and pet parent Nick Griffith. First he found his dream job, then his dream girl, and now his dream dog. Life doesn’t get any better than that!

When we see successful people, it may seem that their life has always been easy. But that isn’t true for Nick Griffith. His life, just like the rest of us, has had many ups and downs.

Midwest Upbringing
Growing up in historic Madison, IN, Nick was surrounded by family, animals and lots of green grass and fresh air. With a population of just 12, 000, Nick knew almost everyone.
Growing up, Nick had many dogs — his favorite though, was a Great Dane by the name of Harley. Harley was a wonderful companion. A special bond formed between them. “He was just another member of the family,” Nick recounts with a smile, “The kind of dog that told you exactly what he was thinking just by looking at you.”
Unfortunately, like many large dogs, Harley died of bloat after just four short years. Nick took it hard. Losing a pet is difficult. Nick knew it would take time to recover. He didn’t want another pet. He wasn’t sure he would ever want another pet.
Life went on, and Nick went on. He was involved in high school sports, and played on his college baseball team as well. As he puts it, “When I realized I wasn’t good enough to make a living at it, I chose broadcasting — talking about sports was the next best thing to playing them.”

Building a Career
Nick went to college at Miami of Ohio University, Oxford, Ohio. After completing degrees in broadcast journalism and political science, Nick accepted his first job as a broadcaster. He loaded up the U-haul and headed for the town of Idaho Falls, ID. He was on the air at KIDK!
Working became his focus. Soon, he moved on to sports director at KTKA in Topeka, Kansas. After a little more experience under his belt, Nick was invited to join the team at KMBC, Channel 9.
His daily duties at KMBC encompass a wide variety of jobs, including reporting, producing, editing and also anchoring the evening and late night sports. Working many hours, Nick chose to live downtown. He knew his lifestyle wouldn’t work for a dog. But that didn’t stop the yearning inside.
As part of his commitment to Kansas City, Nick became involved with several different charities.  With a strong appreciation for the work done by Wayside Waif’s, Nick stopped by from time to time.  He became friends with Ashlee Parker, Communications Relations Manager. During one conversation he mentioned his love for Great Danes and his childhood pet.  He mentioned that if the shelter ever received a pure bred Great Dane, he might be interested in adopting it.

A Sad Surrender
In a different world, a pure-breed Great Dane puppy had found a new home with a family. But the joy was short lived. Somehow, his leg was broken. The family had just spent several hundred dollars to purchase the puppy. They simply couldn’t afford to pay for the necessary surgery. So the puppy was surrendered to Wayside Waif’s.
The puppy would not only need expensive surgery, but special tender loving care to   recover. While this might have been the end of the road for some animals, Riggs was given a second chance. Wayside Waif’s put him on the road to recovery.
Surgery was performed. After surgery, he was placed in a foster home with a special volunteer. Foster care takes on a whole new meaning when you are taking care of an animal that has recently had surgery. In this case, Riggs needed 24-hour care. A special volunteer, a former nurse, took on the challenge and gave Riggs the care he needed to recover.

Foster Care
Each year area shelters receive hundreds of animals that are not ready for adoption when they enter the shelter. Foster care programs help animals who are injured or sick, moms with litters, single babies who are too young to be on their own, animals that need training or behavior modification, or an animal who just needs some quiet time out of the shelter to feel good again. Last year there were over 900 animals fostered in Wayside Waif’s foster care program.
Foster families must complete a training program and then agree to provide in-home care for 2-4 weeks. Foster families are real heroes. They give animals individual care.  With this special care, many are ready for a second chance — a permanent home with a family.
Fostering can be a fun and educational activity for the whole family. Many foster families report they are completely enriched by their experiences. They feel significant gratitude knowing they made a direct impact in an animal’s life. In some cases the time spent fostering an animal can be used as community volunteer hours.

A Permanent Home
As Riggs’ health progressed, the need to find him the right permanent home was important. He needed a special place where he would be nurtured.
Ashlee called Nick. Was he interested in a Great Dane puppy? She explained his situation. He thought about it. He thought about it for a long time. Then, he discussed it with his girlfriend at the time, now fiancée, Sara Gooch. 

On his day off, he went to the shelter to meet Riggs. He was hooked. But he wanted his girl friend to meet Riggs before he took him home. So on a separate day, she met Nick at the shelter and was introduced to Riggs. It was suggested they take him home for a night.  Sara already owned a Siberian Husky. It was important to see if the two dogs could coexist. They agreed — they would try it for a night.

Riggs got into Sara’s car. Excitement was high. After just a few blocks she pulled over. Riggs had pooped in her back seat. “It was a lot of poop,” Nick chuckles.
At the time though, he was worried; this didn’t bode well for him or Riggs. But they proceeded home. In just one night, Nick, his fiancée Sara, Kody, the Husky, and Riggs the Great Dane bonded into one big happy family. Riggs had found a fur-ever home.

Playing, Training, Bonding and More
In the early months, when Nick wasn’t working, Riggs was like a shadow, wanting attention and needing direction. Nick spent lots of time with him. Playing, running, training, snuggling, it was all part of getting to know one another.

To anyone who has ever had a puppy, it is extremely important to spend time early in the pet’s life bonding and training. Nick had time to spare, and he spent it with Riggs.
The bond grew. And so did Riggs. After 18 months, Riggs now tops the scale at 111 pounds. Riggs is a one big dog. He is actually taller than Nick, when he stands on his hind legs!
Nick understands Rigg’s needs — and Riggs loves Nick. They still spend lots time with each other. Playing, running, training. It doesn’t stop.  Each day is a new one.  Each day, their relationship grows stronger and deeper.

Pure Breeds in Shelters
Many people don’t know that on average 25-30% of the animals at Wayside Waif’s are purebred or designer hybrid animals. In addition, there are many mixed breeds that are wonderful caring animals — just without the pedigree!

Animals come to shelters and rescue groups from many sources, puppy mills, families who simply can’t handle an animal after purchasing it, too many puppies in a litter, and other situations. In all cases, the animals are not there because they are bad or have done something wrong, they were just in the wrong situation. In each case the animal now needs a fur-ever home.
Depending on the age and type of animal, the time at the shelter can vary, from days to weeks, to months. Groups realize it is important to showcase each animals so potential adoptees can select the right one for them.

Adoption — Find the Right Pet for You
But how do you connect animals in shelters with people wanting to adopt? Many ways. Low-tech ways include adoption events and word of mouth; high-tech ways include online photos and videos.
Online research is reaching new levels. People google the breed or type of pet they want. Then, they watch and wait for one to become available. Once they find one that interests them, potential families watch the animal online and learn about them, before they ever visit a shelter or rescue group.
What seals the deal? It might be a special photo. It might be the way the animal moves in a video. Something will connect you and that special animal. New statistics shows 75% of potential adopters pick out an animal online and then decide it is time to go get him.

Planning and Budgeting
Why is this research and planning so critical? Because adding a pet to your home is an important decision. Once you bring the animal home, you want to keep him there. While Nick wanted a pet, the timing had to be right. He had to have the time, money, the right home, and equally importantly a place in his heart.

When Nick adopted Riggs, he was ready in all aspects. His career was at a place where he could spend time with his pet. He was on the verge of moving out of his downtown apartment and into a house that had a backyard with lots of grass — Riggs loves to run in his fenced back yard! Nick was also needed to be ready to make a commitment — for years to come. His heart was healed from his childhood loss. He was ready.

Don’t forget the financial details. Like most shelters and rescue groups, animals adopted from Wayside Waif’s are spayed or neutered, receive age appropriate vaccinations and are chipped. But, families need to budget for food, veterinarian care, training and much more. 

Training, Bonding and More
Nick continues to focus on his career. In addition to his normal broadcasts, he covers high-profile events such as KU’s National Championship win, the Orange Bowl, and the recent Chief’s playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.

In his personal life, he and his fiancée are planning a wedding for July 2012. And now there is his relationship with Riggs. His world is complete.
Nick can’t help but smile when he plays with Riggs. They understand each other. And, it was love at first lick!

2011 Strutt With Your Mutt
for Wayside Waifs

Presented by Bayer Animal Health
Want to meet Nick and Riggs? Join them at Strutt Your Mutt where they will be the emcees!

Supports:
Wayside Waif’s

When:
Saturday, September 24

Where:
KC’s Brookside Neighborhood

Events:
7:00 am      Registration
7:30 am      Biscuits & Grrr-avy breakfast by Sharp’s Bar & Grill
8:00 am      5K Race
10:00 am    3K Strutt
11:00 am    Pet Contests

Flealess Market   
Visit with pet vendors in the Flealess Market, enjoy live entertainment & food and have FUN!

Having Fun   
Fetch your best friend, form a Dog Pack, and Strutt to save animal’s lives! Register online at http://www.waysidewaifs.org/strutt

Wayside is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets.  Wayside Waifs is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,000 animals each year in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or those that pose a danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City's no-kill community.