My name is Gretchen the Gremlin *Arriving 12/14*!

Gretchen is a lively, affectionate pup who’s always ready for fun and love in Minneosta! Found as a stray in Texas, she’s since blossomed into a happy-go-lucky girl who adores kids, adults, and other dogs. She’s got a soft spot for squeaky toys, soft chews, and, most of all, her people. Just be prepared—she’s a certified “nose and mouth licker,” so watch out for surprise smooches!

Gretchen’s morning routine starts with a potty break and then plenty of playtime with her foster sibling. She loves her meals and can be a bit of a treat thief, but she’s not food-aggressive. With access to a doggy door, she’s reliable about taking care of business outside and is even patient when kenneled for longer stretches. At night, she’s a cozy bed companion who likes to burrow under the comforter, though she may need a few minutes to settle in first.

While Gretchen is super friendly, her initial instinct is to bark at new people. It’s all curiosity—she just needs a moment to sniff things out before showing her sweet side. She’s playful, active, and thrives in a home with other dogs to romp around with. Her happy energy makes her a perfect fit for an active family who appreciates her love of fun and her big personality.

Gretchen is ready for a fresh start with a family who’ll welcome her into their family and give her all the love (and toys) she deserves.

Gretchen is from Texas. They arrive in Minnesota on 12/14/2024 and will need to be picked up from the Ruff Start Rescue office in Princeton, MN between the hours of 9am and noon. Please plan for their arrival accordingly as we cannot accommodate pickups outside of this time frame.

One big thing you should know is they are heartworm positive - but please don’t let that scare you away from adopting them! After they undergo treatment for their condition they will be completely healthy again, and heartworm is not a contagious disease.

Because they need treatment, they are available exclusively through Ruff Start’s Foster to Adopt (FTA) program. Click here to learn more about this program.

They will get heartworm treatment at one of Ruff Start’s partner veterinary clinics in St. Cloud, so their foster will need to be comfortable getting them to and from the appointments. Treatment will consist of three injections: the first will be roughly 30 days after they enter rescue. Then, the second and third injections will happen 30 days after the first. When they are undergoing treatment, they should be on activity ‘restrictions’ which just means they should relax in their crate or cuddle with you.   Click here to learn more about heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract.

To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page.

If you are unable to adopt but want to help this animal and others in our care, you can donate to support the medical and veterinary needs of all Ruff Start Rescue animals.