Grettas Wish was founded in loving memory of a beautiful Doberman Pinscher girl name "Gretta."
Gretta was owned by an elderly couple and knowing they were barely able to feed themselves, they
simply could not afford the extra burden of pet food and turned her loose. This poor girl wandered the
streets looking for food. I often wonder how many homes she stood before that offered no food to her.
People often say, "it's just an animal" however, let me tell you that the pains of starvation are as real
for "just an animal" as it is for a human.
Animal control was often called but this old girl out smarted them each time. The last time was different
as this girl was very much pregnant, hungry and tired. She let them catch her and off to the pound she
went. That night she delivered nine still born pups. What must she have been thinking.
Shelter staff removed the pups, tossed a huge dish of dry food down and washed out her run. We
received a call from the director asking if we may want to look at this girl. I could never have prepared
myself for what I saw that day. As usual the pain of walking down the rows of so many hopeless fur
souls really got to me, but it was in the last run where my tears came flying out.
There she was, no more than a skeleton draped in red fur. I don't know how she made it through giving
birth. I opened the door and grabbed her in my arms. At first she tried pulling away and then I could
feel her body leaning into mine and I knew this girl would never be hungry again.
Gretta was positive for heartworms and she successfully completed her treatment. As she gained
weight she also began blooming into this incredible dog who enjoyed life so much. She became our
official mascot and surely knew how to work a crowd for donations. If people didn't stop and drop some
change in the can, she would reach her paw out and beg. Let me tell you that not many people could
pass her by.
One day I received a call from an elderly lady that was having financial difficulties and could not afford
to feed her dogs. She couldn't bare the thought of loosing her dogs. I agreed to help her with some
food and loaded a few bags in the car. I left the door open for a second while I grabbed my purse and
there was Miss Gretta sitting on the passenger seat. She loved to ride, so I let her go along. As we sat
at a red light, she placed her paw on my arm. I looked at her and she was looking me directly in the
eyes as if to say, "thanks for not turning your back and looking the other way as so many did to me." Of
course it was hard to see the road with tears rolling out. I know animals are so much smarter than we
give them credit for and I really think she somehow knew exactly what I was doing.
Sadly Gretta's life came to an end as she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. They gave her three
months and she made it three weeks. We knew from the look in her eyes that the spark of life had now
faded and she was tired. Brave until the end this girl touched our lives and left a huge empty space in
our hearts. The picture of her at the top was taken just one week before her death. She loved to wear
hats and this blue and white polka dot one made her look so special. We were so blessed to have had
her love for six years.
After her death we knew that if Gretta could have just one wish, it would be for no other animal to feel
the pains of starvation as she once did.
As silly as it seems, we can feel her presence every time we help feed another animal.
We love and miss you so badly Gretta!!!
Gretta was owned by an elderly couple and knowing they were barely able to feed themselves, they
simply could not afford the extra burden of pet food and turned her loose. This poor girl wandered the
streets looking for food. I often wonder how many homes she stood before that offered no food to her.
People often say, "it's just an animal" however, let me tell you that the pains of starvation are as real
for "just an animal" as it is for a human.
Animal control was often called but this old girl out smarted them each time. The last time was different
as this girl was very much pregnant, hungry and tired. She let them catch her and off to the pound she
went. That night she delivered nine still born pups. What must she have been thinking.
Shelter staff removed the pups, tossed a huge dish of dry food down and washed out her run. We
received a call from the director asking if we may want to look at this girl. I could never have prepared
myself for what I saw that day. As usual the pain of walking down the rows of so many hopeless fur
souls really got to me, but it was in the last run where my tears came flying out.
There she was, no more than a skeleton draped in red fur. I don't know how she made it through giving
birth. I opened the door and grabbed her in my arms. At first she tried pulling away and then I could
feel her body leaning into mine and I knew this girl would never be hungry again.
Gretta was positive for heartworms and she successfully completed her treatment. As she gained
weight she also began blooming into this incredible dog who enjoyed life so much. She became our
official mascot and surely knew how to work a crowd for donations. If people didn't stop and drop some
change in the can, she would reach her paw out and beg. Let me tell you that not many people could
pass her by.
One day I received a call from an elderly lady that was having financial difficulties and could not afford
to feed her dogs. She couldn't bare the thought of loosing her dogs. I agreed to help her with some
food and loaded a few bags in the car. I left the door open for a second while I grabbed my purse and
there was Miss Gretta sitting on the passenger seat. She loved to ride, so I let her go along. As we sat
at a red light, she placed her paw on my arm. I looked at her and she was looking me directly in the
eyes as if to say, "thanks for not turning your back and looking the other way as so many did to me." Of
course it was hard to see the road with tears rolling out. I know animals are so much smarter than we
give them credit for and I really think she somehow knew exactly what I was doing.
Sadly Gretta's life came to an end as she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. They gave her three
months and she made it three weeks. We knew from the look in her eyes that the spark of life had now
faded and she was tired. Brave until the end this girl touched our lives and left a huge empty space in
our hearts. The picture of her at the top was taken just one week before her death. She loved to wear
hats and this blue and white polka dot one made her look so special. We were so blessed to have had
her love for six years.
After her death we knew that if Gretta could have just one wish, it would be for no other animal to feel
the pains of starvation as she once did.
As silly as it seems, we can feel her presence every time we help feed another animal.
We love and miss you so badly Gretta!!!
Grettas Wish Pet Food Bank