FREEPORT, Maine — It’s been one year since Griffin, the dog known to most as “The Bulldog on Wheels,” passed away. His owners described him as “an indomitable, incredible, bossy, vivacious dog.”

In the midst of dealing with their loss and grief, owners Lisa and Chris Bassett opened their home and hearts once again to a dog who wouldn’t have had a chance without them.





“Chance was introduced to us within days of losing Griffin and he was born with malformed joints,” Chris told CBS 13. “So his elbows and all four legs didn’t have much cartilage to hold them together.”

Because of that, Chance couldn’t walk at all. Chris and Lisa knew it would be a challenge but they took him in anyway.

“He was about to be euthanized and someone at the shelter saw he had a lot of life and a lot of spunk and could maybe persevere through his difficulties,” Chris said.

After several surgeries and months of therapy, they watched Chance take his first steps.

“We’re seeing him grow and thrive and he gets around better than we ever thought he would,” Lisa said.

Chris said Chance is just like any other dog.

“Sure enough, he’s been able to do anything a normal dog does and he doesn’t hold back,” he said. “He’s really strong and always wants to be the top dog in the house.”

They want Chance’s story to inspire others, just as it has them.

“It’s perseverance. It’s strength,” Chris said. “You can get through any disability and still live a normal life.”

Lisa and Chris hope others will take a chance, just like they did, on other special needs dogs looking for a home.