For six months, Gretchen survived alone in a drainage ditch in South San Antonio.

She was frightened, injured, and would not let anyone near her. My friend Indi and I spent weeks trying to gain her trust. We sat in a nearby parking lot for hours tossing treats, leaving food and water, and patiently showing her that people could be kind. I eventually found the drainage tunnel where she hid, but even after seeing us almost every day, she was still too scared to come close.

In January 2025, freezing rain and snow were forecast for San Antonio. We knew we could not leave her outside any longer, so we set a humane trap and hoped for the best. Thankfully, Gretchen walked right in just hours before the storm arrived.

Today, Gretchen is finally safe in a foster-to-adopt home through the Rescue and Welfare Trust Fund of the Bull Terrier Club of America. She is loving life indoors, learning to trust people, and showing us her sweet, goofy personality. Despite everything she has been through, she still loves to run and go on walks.

But Gretchen is living with significant pain.

After veterinary exams and orthopedic consultations, we learned that she has multiple old pelvic fractures and severe damage to her right hip joint, likely from being hit by a car while living on the streets. She cannot fully bear weight on her right leg, and when she runs, she often carries it completely off the ground.

Because Gretchen is still young — only about 5 years old — veterinarians believe the best option for her long-term comfort and mobility is a total hip replacement (THR). This surgery would dramatically reduce her pain and give her the chance to live a normal, active life.

Before surgery, Gretchen needs a pelvic CT scan to determine whether her pelvis can support the prosthetic hip.

Estimated costs:

• Pelvic CT: $2,145

• Total Hip Replacement: $9,175.92

If Gretchen is not a candidate for a THR, the alternative surgery is a femoral head osteotomy (FHO), which is less expensive but comes with a more difficult recovery and less optimal long-term results.

We are asking for help covering the cost of Gretchen’s diagnostics and surgery so she can finally live without pain after surviving so much already.

Any funds raised beyond Gretchen’s medical expenses will be donated to the Rescue and Welfare Trust Fund of the Bull Terrier Club of America to help other bull terriers in need.

Thank you for helping us give Gretchen the happy, comfortable life she deserves.