Features Editor, Features Reporter
A young girl pets Kratos, an adopted pitbull, at Hawthorne park last week.
Photo by Chris Clark
In Greek mythology, Kratos is one of Zeus’ winged enforcers, the godly personification of strength and power.
Kratos the pitbull, who found a home through the Grand Junction Pitbull Rescue program, seems to live up to his namesake. He has a rich chocolate coat, broad shoulders and a deep, booming voice.
He strains against his leash and barks at children playing in Hawthorne Park.
“He’s a big old goofball,” said Jeremy Griffin.
The children approach the intimidating dog and reach out to pet him. He returns the sign of affection with a shower of sloppy dog kisses.
The more you find out about Kratos, the less his name seems to fit. He’s afraid of small animals. He sleeps on the couch with Griffin.
He’s epileptic.
The day that the Griffin family brought Kratos home, he had a 35 minute seizure.
“He loses control of his body,” Griffin said. “He straightens out, stiffens up.”
Kratos is prescribed a bevy of medication to alleviate his symptoms. He takes 10 phenobarbital pills a day, along with a potassium bromide supplement.
Total cost? About $500 a month.
Kratos’ previous owner couldn’t care for him, so they contacted Chelsea Shaw, who runs the Pitbull Rescue program.
“His seizures can be quite terrifying for anyone,” Shaw said. “She [the previous owner] couldn’t handle it.”
As she does with other dogs, Shaw posted photos and a description of Kratos to the Pitbull Rescue Facebook page. Kratos was placed in one foster home before being fostered by the Griffins and adopted by them after two months in their care.
“I think he ended up in the perfect home for his situation. He was definitely meant to be with Jeremy’s family,” Shaw said. “There’s not many people who could take on that dog.”
Shaw extensively vets foster homes and families seeking to adopt. Every adoption involves an application process and signing a contract.
“It’s for the best interests of the dog,” Shaw said. “I don’t want them to go from one bad situation to another.”
Kratos, it seems, has found a good situation.
“We spoil him rotten,” Griffin said.
crclark2@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
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