Ginger, a nine-year-old Labrador retriever, had suffered through a traumatic past. She spent seven years and nine months at the Dogwood Animal Shelter with no luck in finding a forever home. The shelter staff and volunteers worked hard to address her “medical, emotional, and behavioral issues”, but Ginger was deemed unadoptable for a long time due to needing to be the only pet with no children around.
Despite the limited opportunities to adopt Ginger, the shelter never gave up. In March 2020, they posted an emotional plea with a photo of Ginger and a sign that read, “Hi! I’m Ginger! I’ve been here waiting 7 years, 9 months, 2 weeks, 2 days. I’m a good girl! I promise! I just need a 2nd chance.” Mission Driven, a clothing brand that promotes shelter pets and adoption, shared Ginger’s photo on their social media platforms, which quickly became viral.
Thanks to the kindness and love she received from strangers, luck finally smiled on Ginger. Within a few days of Mission Driven’s post, the shelter received adoption applications from around the world, including one from Beth in St. Louis County.
Beth had been searching for a canine companion after a traumatic incident left her with PTSD symptoms and feeling anxious. She saw Ginger on Petfinder and knew immediately that she wanted to adopt her. Ginger was aggressive and had been homed three times in the past but was returned each time. Despite this, Beth was determined to take Ginger back home.
On March 13, 2020, Beth received a call from the shelter and drove to meet Ginger. Despite being warned about Ginger’s aggressiveness, Beth took her home. A few days later, the shelter shared the good news on Facebook that Ginger had finally found her forever home.
Beth was unaware of Ginger’s popularity and soon had people visiting her house to see Ginger. She even had to make Ginger an Instagram page to help control the attention. Beth often shares Ginger’s antics on Instagram and believes that it was fate that brought them together.
In conclusion, the heartwarming story of Ginger teaches us never to give up on hope. Despite the odds, it is possible to find love and a happy ending. Ginger, who spent nearly eight years in a shelter, finally found the perfect home, bringing joy and affection to her new owner, Beth.