Ginger was born on April 19, 1994 and my twin brother Peter (her other dad) brought her home to the condo he and I purchased one day. Ginger was a very active pup who got into her share of mischief which included eating the window sills in our living room and getting in the garbage. Although my brother and I worked different shifts when Ginger was a pup, the fact that she was alone made her become very independent. She loved to give kisses with her big tongue and to play fight. She had a way to let you know what she wanted and when she wanted it. I will always remember the day that Peter and I had her at the park and she was running and ran face first into the fence. Naturally, she was dazed at first but she just got up and started to play again. Ginger loved to go for rides in the car. If you asked her "Ginger, want to go for a ride?" she would raise her left ear in the air, get a look on her face and she ready to go in no time at all.
Ginger was 3 when she ran into the side of a moving vehicle head first and suffered major trauma as a result of her poor judgment. We brought her home from the Animal Hospital after having been hospitalized for a few days to stabilize her condition with no guarantee as to what type quality of life she would have. With lots of tender loving care from both her dads, mom, Grandma, and Aunt Peg Ginger slowly regained her ability to stand up on her own, began to walk and eventually was even able to run like the wind again. I must admit, I do think that there were certainly times when she played her injuries to the hilt just so that she could get lots of additional attention. From this point forward, it was diffucult to get Ginger to leave Grandma's house when she would visit. I remember one time in particular when Ginger did not want to leave to go home and refused to move on her own. When we tried to nudge her along, it was almost as if her behind had been nailed to the flooor. That is how much she loved being at Grandma's. All we would have to do is ask "Do you want to go see Grandma?" and she would get up very quickly and could not wait to get out the door to be on her way.
Ginger was able to return to a good quality of life, was able to run and play and have fun. As she began to age, the undermining injuries began to show themselves, she began to walk at an angle instead of straight, but she was somehow still able to run like the wind. She loved to play outside every morning with my neighbor (her Uncle Gary). Eventually, Ginger met her Aunt Candi (Uncle Gary's wife) and because Aunt Candi was a groomer Ginger was given the full beauty treatment on a regular basis. Ginger pranced around after having been groomed almost as if she were saying "Hey, look at how great I look!" and she loved her bandanas.
When Ginger was about 9 years old and she began to slow down quite a bit, I brought home a little sister for her named Serenity. While Ginger was not sure if she liked this new little pup at first they soon became inseperable. Serenity thought of Ginger as a mother and sister, she loved to be close to her sister and forced her to play even when she did not want to. Ginger once again became more active but also sat back quietly while she allowed her little sister to get into all the mischief she could almost as if she were thinking to herself, "Go ahead and do that - wait till Dad comes home and sees what you did!" At first, when Ginger went to spend time with her other Dad the two girls were absolutely miserable without the other so now Serenity's Uncle Pete began to take Serenity and Ginger together when he had Ginger because no one could stand the sad faces they would make if they were seperated.
Ginger was so happy when Mom started working from home and could be home with both her and Serenity. This now meant that there was someone home with her 24/7 and she could make even more demands. When Mom got ready to go out anywhere the two girls were never far behind they loved to go with Mom wherever she was going, even if it was just a quick ride to the post office or bank.
As Ginger aged she developed quite a personality of her own. She was truly the "Queen of the House"! If it was a little to warm for her in the house, she would bark to let us know that she wanted us to turn the air conditioner either on or down and then when even after having done that she was still hot we had to place a large ice pack under her chin for her. Once she was comfortable she would begin to quite down and settle in to contentment. Ginger also thought that the living room couch and chair belonged to her and boy would she let you know if you were in her spot. I remember one time while I was sitting on the couch that Ginger looked at me and started barking and would not stop until I got up off of the couch so she could get up there and then I tried to sit back down on the other end of the couch and she let me know that under no circumstances did she want me to disturb her and that it was her territory. She loved to have a pillow under her head. And by the way, don't you even think about forgetting to give her a treat when she comes in from the bathroom because she would bark and bark until she got her treat. Oh, by the way, Dad you better not forget to give her a piece of your cold cut cheese when you make your sandwich for lunch the next day. This would be a mortal sin.
We really seem to miss you when we sit down to eat and there is no one barking for attention in the bedroom. You had it down to a science Ginger, you waited until Dad would just get comfortable and begin to eat and then you would start barking. Even though you were old I am not sure that you ever wanted to say goodbye, you certainly had an appetite right up to the very end and that attitude just never stopped.
Ginger you brought much joy and laughter to our lives and you certainly had a personality like no other. We miss you terribly and you will always be in our hearts. I don't think that a day goes by that you don't cross our minds. Please watch over your little sister and don't let her get into too much mischief. We will all be together again as a happy family one day. Please just be patient with us, don't drive everyone crazy barking until we get there.