My Story

My name is Gracie Storz and I am the owner and founder of Gracie’s Dog Walking Service. I decided to start this business because from the age of four up until I was nine my father sexually abused me. The detail of what he did is not necessary, but when I came out and told my mom what he was doing I became very suicidal. At the time, I did not wish to live because I could not bear dealing with what my father had done to me and showed me. I tried to commit sucide several times, but could not do it. With each attempt, I had my dog Patsy with me. I ended up in a mental institution at age ten for a couple of weeks. When I got out, the only joy I had in my life was Patsy. I had no friends in school because I would act by chasing the boys around at recess because I wanted sex and I would go around talking about it. Patsy was my only friend. She always cheered me up, by licking me when she wanted to be petted, following me around everywhere I went, and did everything with me. I would sit with Patsy and talk with her for hours when I was upset and that made me feel better. Patsy was the only reason I was alive because I couldn’t imagine not having her in my life if I died.

Then, I ended up in foster care because my parents were getting a divore and my mom was physically abusive as she dealt with drug addiction. I was in foster care for fifteen months, and the whole time I decided to stay alive because I remembered the good times I had with Patsy. I would get to do that again once the divorce was settled and my mom overcame her drug addiction. I suffered in foster care without my parents, having to adjust to being moved to five different schools, and foster parents stealing stuff from me. The only way I got through it was knowing I’d get to have my friend Patsy by my side again.

After this experience, I realized that there is a much deeper and greater purpose of having a pet than to just have around to play with. During this pandemic, sucide rates and drug overdoses have gone up, more people are suffering from depression, and are isolated at home. Many people have dogs or cats, and this is their only source of happiness. My vision for my company is to provide pet sitting or walks to those pet parents in need at a much lower cost than what other sitters charge. I am doing this because I want to save people’s lives or make their day by making their pet happy. By lowering my prices, I will be able to provide the same good quality service other sitters would charge, but my customers can afford me without breaking their bank while making them happy through taking care of their pets.