From neglected mutt to reason to strut, rescued Dalton pooch looking for votes in makeover contest

The before-and-after photos don’t look like the same dog, which is why the dramatic transformation of Griffin from throwaway stray to cherished pet could win a cash prize for the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia in Dalton.

Griffin is one of 10 finalists in the eighth annual Dirty Dogs Contest, which will award gifts of $5,000, $2,000 and $1,000 to the shelters that have provided critical care to the top three vote getters. Votes are being tabulated through Monday at DirtyDogsContest.com. The competition is sponsored by Wahl, maker of pet grooming supplies, and GreaterGood.org, a charitable organization that sees to the health and well-being of people, pets and the planet.

Griffin’s online bio briefly tells of his rescue from a kill shelter, his health and beauty makeover and his eventual adoption into a forever home.

Patricia Bell, a longtime volunteer who serves as adoption coordinator at the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia, remembers retrieving Griffin from the kill shelter and taking him to a nearby veterinary clinic, Dalton Animal Care North, for treatment.