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When Jenna, a 13-year-old cat adopted by Drs. Kris and Greg Greenwood as a kitten, passed away in her sleep, the Greenwoods deeply mourned her loss. Jenna had been the first of five cats to share their home.
They were touched when their Dallas-based veterinarian Dr. Lee Leissler made a contribution in Jenna's name to Morris Animal Foundation. The Greenwoods decided to make their own contribution and had Jenna's name placed on the Pet Memorial Wall (now digital) at the Foundation's headquarters in Colorado.
"We thought it was a positive way to remember how much she meant to us," Kris said.
Placing their beloved pets' names on the Pet Memorial Wall has since been a tradition for the Greenwoods. Since 1997, they have honored two other cats: Maya, a sweet kitten that was diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) a month after they brought her home, and Leia, a part-Maine coon cat that passed away last year shortly before her 16th birthday.
"I miss all three cats a great deal." Kris said. "Making a donation for animal health and placing their names on the Memorial Wall has been very helpful to us as part of the healing process. When we've lost a pet, we know we're doing something that can benefit animals and their future health."
The Greenwoods were drawn to Morris Animal Foundation for two reasons. First, the Foundation works to find treatments for feline health problems, some of which they have dealt with in their cats, including FIP, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and diabetes. Second, both Kris and Greg are psychologists. As doctors themselves, the Foundation's mission of providing better health care for animals seemed like a natural fit for them.
Because the Greenwoods have no children, they decided to leave a portion of their estate to Morris Animal Foundation. In doing so, they became Lamplighters, a growing group of people who have included the Foundation in their estate plans. Kris said that while they contribute to local animal organizations, they wanted to make a more substantial, long-lasting gift to the Foundation.
"We choose the Foundation because of the positive association we've had with it over the years," Kris said, "and also because of our love for animals and commitment to helping them. Morris Animal Foundation is a national organization, so we are directly contributing to the health of animals everywhere."
Since the Greenwoods' original story was completed, they have honored two other cats -- Tia and Keira -- on the Morris Animal Foundation Pet Memorial Wall. The Greenwoods currently reside in sunny San Diego and have been married for 37 years. They are loving pet parents to Hannah, an 11-year-old silver tabby who was adopted as a kitten from a rescue shelter.
